Thatcham bridge 'would solve a relatively local problem'

West Berkshire Council responds to safety concerns

WEST Berkshire Council has said the only way a bridge will be built at Thatcham is if a major development was to occur in the area.

Last week, the asked Network Rail and councillors as to whether a bridge would be built at the congestion point.

The queuing traffic has led some local residents to raise safety concerns over the tailbacks.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said that action needed to be taken to improve safety as cars queuing back along the winding road leading up Crookham Hill when the level crossing gates are down could lead to an accident.

West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said that a number of options to alert drivers that the gates were down had been considered over the years.

She added that the signs would need to be “a considerable distance” from the crossing, however, in order for people to change their route.

“This would make it very difficult to display meaningful information on the signs,” she said, adding that the information could be inaccurate by the time drivers reached the crossing.

The speed limit on the approach to Chamberhouse Mill Lane was lowered from 60mph to 40mph in 2009 and a variable message sign is in place on Crookham Hill to warn motorists of queues at the station.

In response to questions regarding the possibility of a bridge being built at Thatcham, the council said that a project would cost in excess of £20m; backed up by a feasibility study carried out around 10 years ago.

Ms Stoddart-Crompton said: “Clearly without private or central government investment a bridge solution is not affordable.

“It is difficult to predict how likely this would be as the bridge would resolve a relatively local problem and currently, central government funding tends to focus on delivering regional solutions to congestion, linked to growth.”

She said that any private funding would inevitably be linked to significant development in the area, with the impact needing to be assessed by planning chiefs and developers.

Ms Stoddart-Crompton added that the council would also need to be mindful about road safety caused by additional traffic on nearby roads, such as Crookham Hill, if any development occurred.

The council and Network Rail are currently working to improve access and facilities for cyclists at the station.

No other works at the station have been identified in the council’s five-year capital programme.