BERKSHIRE’S “third worst accident blackspot for cyclists” could see major improvement works following a lengthy campaign.
The Royal Borough Council has announced it is considering upgrading a mini roundabout on the A308 in Clewer, Windsor, to a new signal-controlled junction in order to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The move comes after a series of crashes which saw a child knocked off their bike, a teenager hit by a car and a cyclist badly hurt.
The junction with Mill Lane and Parsonage Lane could see the creation of a new cycle optimised protected signals junction, also known as ‘Cyclops’. The junction could separate walkers and cyclists from vehicles to reduce incidents.
Clewer East councillors Amy Tisi (Lib Dem) and Karen Davies (Lib Dem) and residents have been campaigning for safety improvements at the Mill Lane mini roundabout for years after a series of cyclist injuries.
One male cyclist was “badly smashed up at the back” in December 2021, while a 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after he was hit by a car on the zebra crossing in March 2021, and another child was knocked off his bike in September 2019.
Cllr Tisi called the junction “the third-worst accident blackspot for cyclists in Berkshire,” while resident Martin Gibbons had his petition calling for improvement works signed by 479 people.
The council is consulting with residents on the proposal, which will last until February 5. If approved, funds from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund and developer contributions will be used to facilitate the works.
There will be temporary traffic lights by Mill Lane and Parsonage Lane and overnight road closures. A diversion route will be put in place during the night-time.
Cllr Phil Haseler (Con: Cox Green), lead member for highways and transport, said: “While I understand that any significant change to our highways network can bring some temporary disruption for road users, we strive to keep this to a minimum, and will ensure we give residents and road users plenty of notice if this development proceeds.
“This scheme will bring real benefits to road users by creating safer pedestrian and cycle crossings – something the current roundabout does not have – and I’d encourage as many residents as possible to tell us what they think of the plans.”
READ MORE: Windsor locals demand safer crossing at 'accident blackspot'
Cllr Tisi urged residents to take part in the consultation and use the ‘free text box’ to give their thoughts in full.
She said: “I’m really pleased because people around there have been campaigning for years, and years, and years, and asking for something to be done, not just tinkering around the edges.
“It is dramatic and it is very different but why shouldn’t we have something new and big that makes a huge difference in Windsor?
“I’m really pleased that finally we’ve all been listened to and hopefully people will be supportive.”
READ MORE: Windsor "blackspot" for bicycle accidents could see changes
For full details and to respond to the consultation visit https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/cyclops.
There will also be two drop-in sessions on January 16 and 30 at The Swan pub in Mill Lane from 5pm to 6:30pm both days.
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