A U-turn ahead on traffic orcas
West Berkshire Council are ‘likely’ to replace the rubber blocks with rumble strips
ORCAS, which currently line the roads of Thatcham, may not stick around for much longer.
The devices were installed by West Berkshire Council in July 2020 in a bid to improve safety for cyclists.
It had been hoped the rubber blocks, which can be seen in several areas in the town running parallel to cycle lanes, would encourage active travel.
The introduction was pushed back and questioned by Thatcham town councillors, who had safety concerns.
The town council gave in during the pandemic on the grounds that the orcas promoted social distancing and did keep cyclists and motorists separate.
At the time, the orcas were introduced as a temporary measure with the potential of becoming permanent.
Since then West Berkshire Council has considered going back on itself and removing the devices altogether.
Motorway-style barriers called rumble strips may replace them.
West Berkshire Council portfolio holder for environment and transformation Steve Ardagh-Walter (Con, Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham) addressed the U-turn in a Thatcham full council meeting where he told
town councillors that the move was likely.
He said: “The wands, as we all know, are rather dirty and hard to see, particularly in low light.
“They are very difficult to clean
and maintenance have not been helpful at all in suggesting improvements.
“The orca blocks themselves are hard to clean and instances where lorries come from the fast end, from Colthrop, clip them.”
In October of 2020, after the installation, town councillors said the orcas needed to be made safer for cyclists.
Lib Dem councillor, then council leader, David Lister (Thatcham West) said: “When I look at the number of orcas at least half of them have been hit.
“That does make me feel uncomfortable.
“I feel these are going to cause a hazard in the winter months.
“I’m supportive of the approach taken to improve safety, but this as it stands at the moment is a hazard and I urge West Berkshire Council to look at things like cat’s eyes.”
Fast forward to the last full council meeting, now council leader Lee Dillion (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) said: “Councillor Lister is probably far too polite to say I told you so, but he absolutely did tell West Berkshire [Council] so, that the style and design was not going to work.
“I am glad West Berkshire are listening. If they had done it right the first time they probably would have saved some money for taxpayers, but it is good that they’re getting there.”
Mr Dillon said it would have been good if the district council had a discussion with the Thatcham councillors prior to its decision.