A call to close Church Lane in Arborfield has been submitted to Wokingham Borough Council with fears of "a serious accident" if action isn't taken. 

Arborfield councillor Gary Cowan said residents were afraid to walk or drive on the lane, as he handed a petition a full council meeting on Thursday, September 21.

He said: “Church Lane is an unlit, unpaved, winding country lane. It is designated as countryside and is also part of the Greenway route which should be prioritised for non-motorised vehicles, walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

“For too long the road has been unsuitable for the volume, type and speed of vehicles using it. Residents are afraid to walk on the lane or to drive out onto the lane for fear of being hit by a car or an HGV, or believe a serious accident will occur.”

Councillor Cowan added that traffic measurements taken in November last year found vehicles passed along the road 1,500 times a day – equal to half a million a year. He said this could rise to a million a year by 2026.

He said: “The road should be closed to traffic enforced by a physical restriction and with a designed designated turning area.”

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Meanwhile, residents of Twyford also submitted a petition asking the council to do “all it can” to limit the speed of traffic on Hurst Road. The speed limit has already been cut from 40 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour.

But council leader Stephen Conway, who represents Twyford, said residents had asked him to submit a petition to Wokingham Borough Council.

He said: “I would like to submit a petition from residents of Hurst Road in Twyford, asking the council to do all it can to reduce the speed of traffic on that road.

“The petition is the work of resident Mrs Charlie Blankley who has asked me to present it to you tonight.”