Demand for urgent action after latest A4 collision with cyclist still in hospital one week on

The latest accident on the A4 brings the total to 28 between the junctions with the A34 and Denford in the past five years - three of them fatal.
On Thursday, a cyclist, believed to be in his mid- to late-70s, was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with serious neck injuries, following an accident also involving a Mini Cooper close to the Milkhouse Road junction.
He remains in hospital in a stable condition with "serious multiple injuries" which are not thought to be life threatening, Thames Valley Police confirmed this morning (Friday).
On February 26, Anne Joyce Deeks, aged 69, was killed in a two-vehicle collision close to the same junction.
While speed has not been attributed as the cause of the accidents, Marsh Benham residents are calling for change.
Angela McFarlane said: “I have been complaining to West Berkshire Council for four years to improve the safety on that road. I have asked for speed cameras there, I have asked for everything.We have people who try to cross the road with their children to get to Stockcross School and you can’t do it. To get across to the bridleways with horses, you can’t do that anymore.
“We’re not asking for the moon or the sun - we’ve asked for a traffic island. We are the only right-hand turn between Hungerford and Newbury that doesn’t have one.”
Nicola Russell added: “I feel I take mine and my children's lives into my hands every time I pull out onto this death trap of a road.”
The February accident also sparked a campaign from the Halfway Residents’ Group to have 30mph speed limits introduced at main junction points along the A4, reporting that motorists exceed 90mph on occasions.
A proposal was submitted with a 60-page petition.
West Berkshire Council spokesman Keith Ulyatt said: “The suggestions have been carefully considered by the council, the police and the safer roads partnership.
“The council has extended the double white lines on Gravel Hill, has adjusted other road signs along that stretch of the A4 and will be making adjustments to the signs at the junction of Milk House Road.
“Reducing the speed limit was considered by the council’s task group in 2012 but the move was not supported by the police.”
Traffic management officer from the Hampshire and Thames Valley joint operations roads policing specialist unit, Chris Hulme, said: “All aspects of the proposed speed limit are taken into account i.e. collision history, speed of existing traffic, road environment, enforcement, road character and driver perception. The current speed of traffic is a reliable indicator of how acceptable a new speed limit would be. Changing the number on the sign alone will not achieve the desired effect in reducing traffic speeds and improving road safety. There is a proven link between road environment/character and drivers’ speed.
“Drivers must respect the need for a speed limit. If it is not accepted as realistic it will quickly be abused. Having taken all of the above into account the reduction in the speed limit was not supported. The existing national speed limit of 60mph is appropriate and no change was recommended.”