Wash Common march plans to highlight dangers of new access road

Campaigners say Warren Road access to proposed Sandelford Development will pose safety risk to children

CAMPAIGNERS will stage a protest march this weekend to highlight the potential dangers of a planned access road on to the Sandleford development.

The application from Bloor Homes to build 2,000 homes on the site to the south of Newbury town centre includes access roads and filter lanes at some of the town’s busiest roundabouts to cope with the increased traffic.

However, campaigner Julie Knapman believes that the planned access from Warren Road, Wash Common, on to the development will be a danger to pupils at nearby Falkland Primary School and Park House School.

The mother-of-two feels the extra traffic through Wash Common would pose an unacceptable safety risk to schoolchildren in what she says is already a congested area.

In order to raise awareness, Mrs Knapman is planning a march from the Two Watermills pub on Monks Lane to The Woodpecker pub at the bottom of Andover Road on Saturday.

Mrs Knapman, whose son attends Falkland Primary School, said: “The aim is to raise awareness and for people to show their displeasure at the plans.

“It’s a family march so I’m encouraging parents to bring children on their bikes and scooters or in their prams to let people know what’s going on.”

Mrs Knapp has also started an online petition against the access road which has so far gathered 301 signatures.

She said: “Ultimately I want that access to be stopped but I just hope that West Berkshire Council recognise the situation. I’d like them to do a total review of the traffic around that area.

“If we don’t get this right now in the future it’s going to be a problem.”

The march will begin at the Two Watermills on Monks Lane at 2pm.

For details, email washcommonactiongroup@gmail.com or search ‘Andover Road and the Surrounding Area – Residents Association’ on Facebook.