'A car only has to hit a child once' – Thatcham town councillor calls out unsafe travel routes
“A car only has to hit a child once.” That is the warning from one councillor who said falling signs, overgrown foliage and potholes on Thatcham roads are causing major safety concerns.
Keith Woodhams (Thatcham West) has voiced his frustration with the lack of visibility caused by overgrown shrubbery at the roundabout at Henwick.
The Lib Dem councillor said he has been presented with complaints and queries from Thatcham residents when out at council surgeries.
Obstacles at crossing points caused by damaged pavements, surface water drains and steep cambers have also made journeys difficult for elderly residents in the town.
Some of those who relayed their concerns have been, or know someone who has been, injured as a result.
One woman told the councillor two of her friends had been knocked out of their mobility scooters when using the road crossing in Thatcham Broadway.
Mr Woodhams said the fading white lines and ‘look left, look right’ lining in the centre of town has led to vehicles using dangerous shortcuts when travelling in and around the High Street.
He also recalled a vehicle losing control on a trough in the road surface on Tull Way, hitting the central kerb.
Mr Woodhams is now calling for action from West Berkshire Council’s (WBC) highways team, something he said Thatcham Town Council has been chasing.
Subsequent to his conversations with residents, the issue was discussed at a Thatcham Town Council meeting last August.
It was around this time that Mr Woodhams emailed WBC asking for action. He said he didn't get a reply for months and then around Christmas time was notified that work will be done but added that no time frame was given.
“A car only has to hit a child once,” he said. “It has been so frustrating returning to a surgery months later in Thatcham town centre only to find that the same dangerous problems exist for the elderly, mobility scooter users and families with young children.
“Lanes separating and directing traffic around the garden centre roundabout have gone.
“Mobility scooter users and pedestrians are in danger of being hit whilst using the dedicated crossing points as you can’t tell which way vehicles are heading.
“Foliage on top of this roundabout obscures sightlines so why don’t they [WBC] install flower beds instead which are much lower?”
He added: “All this lack of action by West Berkshire Council makes Thatcham Town Council look incompetent but we are not responsible for highways matters.”
“We need action, completion dates and feedback from West Berkshire Council highways to keep residents informed and updated, not left in the dark for months and months making it look as if we don’t care.”
