Windsor locals demand safer crossing at 'accident blackspot'

Residents have told the Local Democracy Reporting Service a ‘cyclist was hit by a motorist’ at the Mill Lane Road roundabout on Maidenhead Road on Saturday morning (Dec 2).

Mill Lane resident Iain Croker witnessed the aftermath, saying a male cyclist’s bicycle was “badly smashed up at the back” after it was reportedly involved in the crash.

He said the man was with a woman cyclist. According to Mr Croker, the driver did stop to make sure the man was ok, and a police officer was at the scene.

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However, Thames Valley Police was unable to provide details of the incident.

But people have said enough is enough and have demanded the council to upgrade the zebra crossing into a toucan crossing as well as install a roundabout warning sign for motorists coming from Maidenhead.

A petition was set up earlier this year, which garnered 479 signatures, calling for a crossing after two incidents involving children had happened in the past seven months.

A 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after he was hit by a car on the zebra crossing in March. Another child was knocked off his bike in September 2019.

The roundabout has been dubbed an 'accident blackspot' in Berkshire

Speaking at a full council meeting in November, Cllr Amy Tisi (Lib Dem: Clewer East) said she and residents have been telling the council to upgrade the junction “for years,” adding the “poorly lit” zebra crossing and the “fading” white lines on the tarmac is not enough to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

She said: “The council knows this junction is a problem, they just haven’t done anything to sort it out properly.

“It’s the third-worst accident blackspot for cyclists in Berkshire.”

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Cllr Gerry Clark (Con: Bisham & Cookham), cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “Highways safety is a top priority for the council and we take seriously any reports of incidents. We take advice from police and if advised that road layout needs improving then we investigate.

“At this location, we are shortly meeting with the petitioner to discuss the issues they have raised. While this junction is compliant with design standards and no concerns have been raised by police, we did still ask our engineers to review if any improvements were appropriate.

“Engineers have identified that possible improvements for pedestrians and cyclists could be made, which they are currently assessing alongside exploring capital funding opportunities.”