Petition calls for crossing on busy A340

Residents of Fallows Road in Padworth have urged that a crossing is needed on the A34 Basingstoke Road opposite the Fallows Road open space, claiming that the speed at which cars travelling through the area is compromising the safety of school children and residents attempting to cross the road.
Further concern was expressed to the increased amount of lorries that would use the road should increased gravel extraction at Lower Farm in Aldermaston be given the go-ahead.
The petition was presented to a meeting of the West Berkshire Council Executive last week by Mortimer ward member, Mollie Lock (Lib-Dem).
She said: “School children are required to cross for the school bus and to reach the children’s play area.
“It’s a busy road from Tadley to Aldermaston [and] although there’s a speed limit of 30 miles per hour cars and lorries regularly speed on this road.
“There also will be a large increase in lorries should the planning [application] for the gravel extraction be approved.”
A spokeswoman for the council Peta Sottard-Crompton said: “The petition is now with the relevant officers for consideration and the petitioner will be contacted regarding the agreed course of action once it has been decided.”