Latest news with #Finchampstead
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
'Absolutely crazy' road junction that baffles drivers and cost taxpayers £5.5m is nominated for top design award
Locals are furious after a controversial road junction which cost taxpayers £5.5 million and has been dubbed a 'deadly playground' was nominated for a top design award. Last year the junction in Finchampstead, Berkshire, underwent a £5.5million makeover which saw it painted with an oak leaf design rather than traditional white stripes in a bid to make it more 'pedestrian-friendly'. The new layout caused anger among locals who described it as an 'accident waiting to happen'. At the time, more than 1,400 people demanded changes to the new intersection design. But now the redesign has been shortlisted in the Active Travel Scheme of the Year category as well as Line Marking and Street Design. Wokingham Borough Council has also said the junction has been named Best Community Project in the Landor LINKS Active Travel Directory and Yearbook 2025-26. Adrian Betteridge, Wokingham Borough Council's executive member for transport, said it was 'great' to see the project recognised. However, responses from fellow residents has been uncertain - with many slamming the council for the redesign. One resident, Jackie Robinault, told the BBC she was 'amazed' it had been shortlisted, and described the redesign as 'a disaster'. She said: 'I think it was a waste of money - I think it was better as it was. 'People seem to have forgotten that it's a roundabout, don't know what to do when they get here.' Another local, Alex Sykes, also told said the confusion over priority was a problem. He said: 'Some people dither and very sensibly go 'what do we do', and some people bomb it and go straight over... I wouldn't give it any awards for innovation, to be honest.' One local said the leaf patterns are, whilst 'pretty in design' - highly confusing for drivers and pedestrians. They added the design is an 'accident waiting to happen' and a 'complete waste of public money'. The local said: 'Leaf patterns'. Patterns! 'Do you know that's important on roads? Clarity! Not patterns. 'Clarity, so everyone is acting in a predicable and uniform manner. 'They have done the opposite here. It might look pretty but prettiness is not what road users are looking for in road traffic markings. 'What we need, is to approach a junction and know immediately who has right of way, who has to give way, and what rights pedestrians have. 'Here, we are all bemused. 'It is an accident waiting to happen and a complete waste of public money.' Another stated the definition of a zebra crossing and questioned why the community are part of an 'experiment'. They said: 'A zebra crossing (British English) or a marked crosswalk (American English) is a pedestrian crossing marked with white stripes (zebra markings). 'Normally, pedestrians are afforded precedence over vehicular traffic, although the significance of the markings may vary by jurisdiction. 'Any reason why we're part of an experiment, why not use a Zebra crossing, you know the one that's in the Highway Code? 'I looked up leaves but nothing in the Highway Code about leaves on the road!' One person compared the redesign to a deadly playground. They explained: 'It looks like a playground! So deadly for children who are going to think they can play in the road.' A resident slammed the redesign, dismissing it as a zebra crossing because local children allegedly wanted to play 'hop scotch' on it. She said: 'This is not a zebra crossing, it's an accident waiting to happen. 'I'm a good driver and drive with care and attention to all but not everyone does. 'There needs to be clear lights like every other crossing and don't even get me started on the leaves. 'A child wanted to play hop scotch with them a couple of days ago. 'I suggest this gets rectified according to the highway code before there's a terrible accident.' One local said the design is not appropriate for people with visual impairment or guide dogs. They explained: 'This is dangerous for those with visual impairment, and for children who might think this is a new playground game. 'Did you consult Guide Dogs for the Blind, for example, to see if they are training their guide dogs to navigate random pretty patterns and know this is where their partner crosses?' Many say they 'cannot believe' the 'bizarre' redesign was implemented and approved by National Highways. They added: 'This is bizarre to say the least. 'Drivers should be focusing on the road and potential hazards not being confused and distracted by leaves painted onto the surface. 'It should be painted as a normal roundabout that people are familiar with and know how to deal with when approaching. 'This is plain daft and I can't believe highways approved such a scheme.' Wokingham Borough Council said a study found pedestrians crossed the road in less time and drivers gave way more often. A monitoring road safety audit will take place in October.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- BBC News
Arson arrest after night-time fire wrecks Finchampstead bungalow
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a bungalow was wrecked in a fire. Police and fire crews were called at about 02:45 BST to the end-of-terrace property in Billing Avenue in Finchampstead, Berkshire, after reports of an explosion. Detectives said no-one was injured, but pictures posted online showed a wooden-clad bungalow with its roof and windows apparently destroyed.A man in his 50s, of no fixed address, remains in police custody. Thames Valley Police described the incident as "isolated".Det Insp Stuart Streeter said: "I would particularly like to hear from anybody who may have footage on their doorbell cameras or any other devices."Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it spent more than two hours dealing with the blaze, which also affected a neighbouring property. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Schoolboy ‘chased & sexually assaulted' after group of children, 10 & 11, ‘approached by man taking photos' near church
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after approaching a group of children. A 58-year-old was arrested on June 3 in connection with a sexual offence in Finchampstead, Berkshire. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 1 at around 3.45pm at the sports pavilion by Finchampstead Baptist Church Centre. He reportedly approached children aged between 10 and 11, before appearing to take photos of them. He then inappropriately touched a young boy over his clothing before chasing him a short distance. In a statement, Detective Sergeant Pauline Cameron from Thames Valley Police said: 'I would like to thank the community and everyone who has phoned in with information so far. "We have now made an arrest and we are keeping an open mind as we continue to carry out our enquiries. 'We understand that people will have been concerned to hear of this report, however I ask that you please don't speculate about the circumstances of this incident as we continue to progress our investigation." 1 The man has been released on police bail until September while enquiries continue. Police have asked any witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward. Anyone with information can contact 101 or make an online report online citing reference number 43250269457.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested after boy touched and chased in Finchampstead
A man has been been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault after a young boy was reportedly inappropriately touched and Valley Police said the attack happened near the sports pavilion by Finchampstead Baptist Church Centre on Gorse Ride North on Sunday at about 15:45 force said the boy was touched over his clothing before a man, who also appeared to be taking photos and was seen approaching children aged between 10 and 11, ran after arrested man, aged 58 from Finchampstead, has been released on police bail until September. Police are urging witnesses and anyone who has any information to come Sgt Pauline Cameron said: "I would like to thank the community and everyone who has phoned in with information so far."We understand that people will have been concerned to hear of this report, however I ask that you please don't speculate about the circumstances of this incident as we continue to progress our investigation." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Man sought after boy touched and chased in Finchampstead
Police have issued a CCTV image of a person they want to trace after a young boy was reportedly touched inappropriately and chased by a Valley Police said the suspect was at the sports pavilion by Finchampstead Baptist Church Centre on Gorse Ride North on Sunday at about 15:45 was reported to have touched a boy inappropriately over his clothing before chasing force said he also appeared to be taking photos and was seen approaching children aged between 10 and 11. Police are urging witnesses and anyone who recognises the man to come Sgt Pauline Cameron said: "I appreciate that local residents will be concerned to hear of this report, and would like to reassure you that we are taking this incident seriously and our enquiries are ongoing."We will be carrying out additional patrols in the area and have been working alongside local schools to make them aware of the incident and provide any necessary support." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
