Two deaths, 11 serious incidents and a string of minor injuries Councillors call for action over Kings Road accident black spot
AN ACCIDENT black spot on one of Reading’s busiest roads needs action according to ward councillors.
Earlier this week, another incident occurred on Kings Road in which a pedestrian was injured close to the crossing at Reading College.
It is the latest in a series of incidents on the stretch of roa d that leads to Cemetery Junction.
In recent years, two people have died, there have been 11 serious incidents as well as a string of minor injuries.
Thames Valley Police make regular appeals for witnesses following incidents, with the most recent being in September and in August, where a person had serious head injuries.
Most of the incidents take place around the pedestrian crossings by the college or the Hope & Bear pub, and are in both the bus lane heading to town and on the road heading towards the A329m.
Green Party councillors have had enough, and are calling for something to be done.
They have launched petition and want Reading Borough Council to make the road safer for pedestrians and road users.
Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward and pictured inset) said: “Too many people are involved in accidents on Kings Road from Reading College up to and including Cemetery Junction. In the last five years there have been two deaths, 11 serious accidents and many minor incidents where someone has been injured.
“And this doesn’t include the many cycling accidents that will have occurred, which are chronically unreported.
“Green councillors have been calling on the council to act for some time.
“There are some patterns to the accidents like a concentration outside Reading College and drivers turning across bus lanes and colliding with cyclists and motorcyclists.
“At the very least these reoccurring accidents should be addressed by the Labour-run council.”
Earlier this year, the council switched on traffic cameras over the box junctions, to help capture motorists who commit a traffic offence by driving into them when they can’t exit. But this set-up is not in place at the crossings.
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said they were continuing to monitor the situation.
“Along with TVP colleagues, the Council regularly reviews accident data along the Kings Road, and anywhere else in the borough where accidents have occurred,” they told Reading Today.
“At this time, and based on historic police data, there is no evidence to suggest speed is a common contributing factor for incidents which have occurred on Kings Road.
“We will, of course, continue to analyse any available data to identify any additional measures which may be required.”
■ To sign the petition, log on to: bit.ly/kingsrdpetition