Dedworth mini-roundabout plans put children at risk warn councillors

Ruling Conservatives have been accused of failing to protect children who cross the road at one of Windsor's busiest junctions.

The accusation comes from newly elected Liberal Democrat councillors Amy Tisi and Karen Davies - who now represent Clewer East ward on the Royal Borough.

The two believe that plans to make the trial mini-roundabouts permanent on junctions at Hatch Lane/Dedworth Road and Parsonage Lane/Clarence Road need rethinking. They do not think it provides suitable protection for children and vulnerable road users.

Cllr Tisi who lives off Parsonage Lane and regularly uses the junction, said: "The trial roundabouts have reduced queueing but as residents who use the junction daily we have right from the beginning witnessed many near misses.

"We have also received a large volume of correspondence from concerned residents regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety."

The council currently plans to replace the temporary pedestrian crossings on thje mini-roundabouts with zebra crossings and Belisha beacons, backed by speed reduction measures.

Cllr Davies said: "We are disappointed that smart traffic lights haven't been adopted on Dedworth Road, as we thought this option provided the best balance between keeping traffic moving and protecting children's lives."

The two councillors accuse another newly elected councillor Andrew Johnson, the Conservative lead member responsible for roads, of failing to engage with them over the issue.

They believe that smart MOVA traffic lights which use sensors to gauge traffic flow would keep vehicles moving while providing protection for vulnerable people crossing.

They also point out that four care homes for the elderly are directly adjacent to the junction with seven schools within 1,000 yards.

This week Cllr Johnson insisted that he had corresponded with the two councillors by email, adding: "I would be quite happy to sit down with them to discuss it."

He felt the current proposals for an ordinary crossing on the mini-roundabouts similar to the temporary ones were adequate, saying: "The pilot plan has been a success and we believe it has achieved its purpose. There have been a robust series of assessments in which the safety of vulnerable users has been considered.

"If further tweets need to be made we will make them."