Latest news with #PeterHarper
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Row over 'appalling' California Cross Post Office comparison
A councillor's comments comparing a controversial junction redesign to the Post Office Horizon scandal have been branded "appalling".The California Cross junction in Wokingham, Berkshire, has been the subject of debate since it reopened in autumn 2024, with concerns mainly centred around its Peter Harper accused the Liberal Democrat administration of "waving the flag about how wonderful the scheme is" despite the concerns being the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Stephen Conway, called the comparison "unwarranted". On Tuesday, Mr Harper presented a petition calling for changes to be made, signed by 1,600 residents, to an overview and scrutiny management committee said: "I get a feeling of this as a sort of discussion the Post Office were having when the Horizon scheme was being discussed – everyone was raising concerns, we have the executive members waving the flag about how wonderful the scheme is, with their heads in the sand."I think we should be listening to the people who are using that scheme, we should be listening to the safety experts."Post Office Horizon scandal: Why hundreds were wrongly prosecutedMr Conway said his "appalling and unwarranted" comments went "well beyond the line of what can be considered acceptable".He also accused the Conservatives of "undermining public confidence" in the junction."Our officers have safety as their primary concern throughout the design and implementation of all highways projects, including this one," he said. Mr Harper said he had received "many emails" from residents concerned about the safety of the junction, adding: "They believe a serious accident is only a matter of time."He accused the council of having a "wait and see" approach to road safety."At the meeting on Tuesday, I likened the council's approach to that of the Post Office and the Horizon scandal where despite many claims that the IT system was faulty, the Post Office were more interested in protecting their reputation than delivering justice," he said."Of course, the problems of a village roundabout do not compare to the devastation caused by the Post Office scandal, but it is illustrative of mindset that is prevalent in many institutions in the UK." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Councillors 'burying their heads' over roundabout
Council executives have "their heads in the sand" over a controversial redesign of a roundabout junction, a councillor has said. Peter Harper has called upon Wokingham Borough Council to make changes to California Cross, between Finchampstead Road and Nine Mile Ride. He said councillors were "waving the flag about how wonderful the scheme is" despite safety concerns being raised, including a 1,600-signature petition. Leader of the council, Stephen Conway, said the project, dating back to 2015, had been treated with "incredible care and thoroughness". Mr Harper said: "I get a feeling of this as a sort of discussion the Post Office were having when the Horizon scheme was being discussed – everyone was raising concerns, we have the executive members waving the flag about how wonderful the scheme is, with their heads in the sand. "I think we should be listening to the people who are using that scheme, we should be listening to the safety experts. "We should make the change now." The Post Office Horizon scandal involved thousands of innocent sub-postmasters being blamed for financial shortfalls caused by faults in the IT system. At an overview and scrutiny management committee meeting on Tuesday, he asked highway officers why certain recommendations made in a safety audit, carried out in September 2024, were rejected by the council. He also presented the committee with the petition calling for safety improvements to the junction. The £5.5m revamp resulted in a unique colourful leaf design replacing the junction's double roundabout, with the aim of making it more pedestrian-friendly. Instead of zebra crossings, there are white painted leaves showing where people should cross via foot. Highways officer Chris Easton said his team was monitoring the junction, and there was "nothing factual to demonstrate it's not safe". Mr Easton said there had been no recorded accidents on the junction since it reopened six months ago but if any accidents did happen appropriate action would be taken. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Leaf-design junction is safe, council insists Colourful roundabout redesign divides village More than 1,400 oppose colourful crossing Pedestrian crossing 'looks like a playground' Wokingham Borough Council
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Colourful crossing petition up for council debate
A petition calling for safety improvements at a road junction that underwent a £5.5m makeover last year will be debated by a council's scrutiny committee next week. Many residents have complained about the new colourful leaf design of California Crossroads in Finchampstead, Berkshire, calling it an "accident waiting to happen". The intersection between Finchampstead Road and Nine Mile Ride was closed between February and September 2024, with the aim of making it more pedestrian-friendly. The petition calls for the junction's zebra crossing and roundabout to be repainted. The makeover project resulted in two roundabouts, each with three exits and, instead of zebra crossings, there are white painted leaves showing where pedestrians should cross. The petition, which has been signed by 1,619 to date, was presented to Wokingham Borough Council in January. Conservative councillor Peter Harper, who made the submission, said: "Standard road markings for a roundabout have not been applied, meaning motorists are unsure how to negotiate the junction… they do not consistently give pedestrians priority to cross the road." A safety audit revealed the authority rejected a number of recommendations to make the junction clearer, including adding central islands to the mini roundabouts. Wokingham Borough Council commissioned an audit into the junction, which was completed in September. It made a number of recommendations, including adding "look both ways" markings to the crossing points, central islands and arrow markings to the roundabouts. It also suggested adding hatching on the approach to existing islands to reduce the risk of collisions. Liberal Democrat council leaders have consistently defended the scheme and say they are "proud" of its uniqueness. A report published ahead of next week's meeting clarifies rules have been followed from the Department for Transport. According to the rules, informal crossings can be identified using a pattern "as long as this is not mistaken for a formal crossing, such as a Zebra", the report reads. It adds that by following the government's Manual for Streets, where "imaginative and context-specific design" can achieve "high levels of safety". Highways and transport officers will answer councillors' questions during the debate on 4 March. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Colourful roundabout redesign divides village Pedestrian crossing 'looks like a playground' Date set for village double roundabout redesign Wokingham Borough Council The Department for Transport
BBC News
01-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wokingham council to discuss petition against colourful crossing
A petition calling for safety improvements at a road junction that underwent a £5.5m makeover last year will be debated by a council's scrutiny committee next residents have complained about the new colourful leaf design of California Crossroads in Finchampstead, Berkshire, calling it an "accident waiting to happen".The intersection between Finchampstead Road and Nine Mile Ride was closed between February and September 2024, with the aim of making it more petition calls for the junction's zebra crossing and roundabout to be repainted. The makeover project resulted in two roundabouts, each with three exits and, instead of zebra crossings, there are white painted leaves showing where pedestrians should petition, which has been signed by 1,619 to date, was presented to Wokingham Borough Council in councillor Peter Harper, who made the submission, said: "Standard road markings for a roundabout have not been applied, meaning motorists are unsure how to negotiate the junction… they do not consistently give pedestrians priority to cross the road."A safety audit revealed the authority rejected a number of recommendations to make the junction clearer, including adding central islands to the mini Borough Council commissioned an audit into the junction, which was completed in made a number of recommendations, including adding "look both ways" markings to the crossing points, central islands and arrow markings to the also suggested adding hatching on the approach to existing islands to reduce the risk of Democrat council leaders have consistently defended the scheme and say they are "proud" of its uniqueness.A report published ahead of next week's meeting clarifies rules have been followed from the Department for to the rules, informal crossings can be identified using a pattern "as long as this is not mistaken for a formal crossing, such as a Zebra", the report adds that by following the government's Manual for Streets, where "imaginative and context-specific design" can achieve "high levels of safety".Highways and transport officers will answer councillors' questions during the debate on 4 March. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
26-01-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Finchampstead pedestrian crossing: More than 1,400 oppose design
More than 1,400 people have called for changes to a junction that underwent a £5.5m makeover last said California Crossroads in Finchampstead, Berkshire, looked like a "playground" following the Wokingham Borough Council work and was an "accident waiting to happen".The intersection between Finchampstead Road and Nine Mile Ride was closed between February and September 2024 with the aim of making it more pedestrian-friendly.A petition calling for the junction's zebra crossing and roundabout to be re-painted to "reduce the risk of a serious accident" was presented to the authority at a meeting. Conservative councillor Peter Harper submitted the petition, which was signed by 1,446 people, on Thursday."Many residents have contacted me about the unconventional road marking and their personal experience of the risk of using the junction," he said."Standard road markings for a roundabout have not been applied meaning motorists are unsure how to negotiate the junction…they do not consistently give pedestrians priority to cross the road."Defending the work, Mark Ashwell, the council's executive member for business and economic improvement, accused the Conservatives of presenting a "narrative" on the scheme. The Liberal Democrat said: "A six-month pursuit of a petition to affect changes to a new traffic works has had a negative effect to our retail hub – this narrative has been a hindrance to our businesses."Mr Ashwell added: "There is an extremely strong community in Finchampstead that supports its businesses in California and I'm personally determined to work with them to make the most of their newly enhanced centre."Martin Alder, the council's executive member for highways and active travel, said the design was an "innovative solution" and something "we can all be proud of". You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
