Call for Zebra Crossing on Kilnsea Drive

A request has been made for a zebra crossing on Kilnsea Drive in Lower Earley, a sweeping residential road off Rushey Way that serves around 250–300 homes and the Maiden Place centre.

Michael Firmager, a Conservative, raised the issue at the full Wokingham Borough Council meeting on Thursday, February 26, arguing it would help people — particularly children — get to Hawkedon Primary School safely.

Mr Firmager said: "Many children cross Kilnsea Drive in Lower Earley to go to and from Hawkedon Primary School. "This stretch of road does have fast moving traffic. To help protect and increase road safety of children, their parents and other adults who escort them across Kilnsea Drive the installation of a zebra crossing would make this crossing safer. What is the Executive Member going to do?

His question was answered by councillor Adrian Betteridge, the executive member for active travel and highways (Liberal Democrats, Barkham & Arborfield). He encouraged people to use the council's online road safety concern reporting form and the webpage where residents can see requests and get updates.

Cllr Betteridge said: "Thank you for raising such an important issue. "Following the receipt of your question, officers have reviewed the situation on Kilnsea Drive, including traffic speeds and collision histories. "Their response is that average speeds are below the 30 mph limit, with no recorded personal injuries in the injury collisions in the area and no recent reports that would otherwise indicate this is a priority for another crossing on this road above and beyond the many requests which we're already dealing with. "However, I know that perceptions of risk are often different to reality and I do not in any way dismiss this concern. "Children must have safe routes to school and children and parents must feel that it's safe for them to walk to school. "A key issue in taking this forward will be our new speed limit policy, which commits us to proactively reviewing speed limits in locations where people walk, wheel and cycle, particularly around schools and community facilities. "We've written to all town and parish councils to ask them to identify priority locations for such reviews, and I suggest you also discuss your specific concern with Earley Town Council. "Further information on how we're progressing this project will be the subject of public communications in the near future."

Mr Firmager noted the limit falls to 20mph during school drop-off and pick-up times and asked whether motorists were speeding then. Cllr Betteridge said he will provide an update once the evidence is reviewed.

Mr Firmager is a Warren ward representative on Woodley Town Council and is the Conservative candidate for Hawkedon ward on Wokingham Borough Council in the May local elections.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter