Politics & Council · Reading
Caversham's Last Crumb junction prioritised for safety improvements
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Reading Borough Council has officially prioritised safety upgrades for the Last Crumb junction in Caversham following years of public pressure and thousands of petition signatures.
A high-profile road safety project has been officially moved to the top of Reading Borough Council’s agenda, as plans to upgrade the notorious 'Last Crumb' junction in Caversham are finally being prioritised.
The intersection, where Prospect Street, Peppard Road, Henley Road and Westfield Road meet, has long been a source of frustration and concern for local residents. Despite the junction being controlled by traffic lights, it currently lacks any designated pedestrian crossings, a feature that many locals argue makes the area hazardous for those on foot.
The decision follows years of campaigning, including three separate petitions launched since 2017. The most recent campaign has garnered 2,183 signatures, signalling the strength of local feeling regarding the safety of the route.
During a traffic management sub-committee meeting on 10 September, council members approved a new list of prioritised road safety and traffic management schemes. The Last Crumb junction has been granted number one status on this list.
Addressing the committee, Councillor John Ennis, the lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, acknowledged the necessity of the works. He stated that the prioritisation was based on strategic safety needs that affect the wider community rather than being influenced by ward-specific politics. He noted that the junction presents a complex environment for road users, featuring five or six different entry points, which underscores the urgent need for formal crossing measures.
While the decision to move forward has been welcomed, the political process behind the prioritisation remains a point of contention. The Green Party, the council's main opposition group, abstained from the vote. Councillor Rob White, the Green party leader on the council, expressed concerns that other important local transport schemes were omitted from the final list, leading to their abstention.
Councillor Ennis defended the list as comprehensive and urged opposition members to raise specific reservations directly with council officers rather than abstaining during the final decision-making stages. The council's move represents a significant victory for local campaigners who have long argued that the absence of safe crossing points made the junction a danger to the public.
The council is expected to begin the planning and implementation phase for these improvements in the coming months, though specific timelines for the installation of the new infrastructure have yet to be confirmed.
Source: Reading Chronicle · View original