'Risky' A308 Holyport Road roundabout set for upgrade

An important roundabout on the A308 looks set to get an upgrade following a cabinet decision this week.

Holyport Road junction improvements have long been wanted by residents and Bray Parish Council.

Speaking at the meeting, cabinet member for highways Cllr Geoff Hill said the junction was ‘in urgent need of improvement.’

“It’s a hazard to divers and there is a near miss every day of the week,” he said.

Its layout means there is ‘a temptation to drive straight on’ and the existing layout does not slow traffic down.

The public ‘expressed an interest in a roundabout’ and ‘don’t want traffic lights’ – an option that was previously considered.

Traffic modelling has since shown that an upgrade to a similar but improved ‘compact’ roundabout would have the best effect on traffic flow.

It is looking to cost about £1.3million – for which funding is coming from Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (£1million worth) and from community infrastructure levy (CIL) on Royal Borough building projects, covering the remaining £300,000.

The upgrade is ‘necessary to keep the junction serviceable up to 2033 and beyond,’ said Cllr Hill, which is important in light of expected increases in traffic there.

“There’s a lot of building work taking place. That traffic goes on the road somewhere – and it goes on that road,” he said.