Safety review into new Maidenhead cycle path dubbed 'accident waiting to happen'

The council has said it is monitoring the safety of a new cycle path described as an ‘accident waiting to happen’ by a concerned resident.

The new two-way cycle path in Forlease Road begins at the junction with Moorbridge Road and joins A4 Bath Road – formerly it was a section of pavement.

But Josephine Crabb, a former county president for St John Ambulance in Berkshire, fears the cycle path’s design could cause an accident.

“In the worst-case scenario, someone could fall off their bicycle into the road – either the main A4 or Forlease Road,” she said.

Josephine lives in Cookham and shops at the Waitrose next to Forlease Road.

She said the junction of the two roads was already ‘extremely dangerous’ for drivers and cyclists, with four-way traffic lights that often break and go ‘out of synchronisation’.

In addition, Josephine warned there could be collisions between cyclists and pedestrians as there is now no dedicated area for walkers.

“I don’t think it [the cycle path] should be there at all,” she said.

“But if it is there it should only be one way and there should be provision for pedestrians.

The cycle path was funded through a planning condition as part of the Magnet Leisure Centre redevelopment and passed a safety inspection during its design stage.

But Royal Borough council cabinet member for highways, Geoff Hill (Oldfield, Independent) said a further review was taking place.

Cllr Hill did not want to comment when asked for his view on whether the path was safe – citing the ongoing review.

He said if safety problems were found, money was available to make changes and work would be undertaken as soon as possible.

A council spokesperson said: “We take the safety of pedestrians and cyclists very seriously.

“In this instance, an audit was carried prior to the construction of the cycle route, with a further audit to be carried out once the full project is complete, in line with highway authority guidance.

“The cycle route connects to toucan crossings at either end, to allow both cyclists and pedestrians to continue their journey.”

Cllr Hill said the safety review was expected to be completed in the first months of the new year.

Josephine said: “There should be no delay on this, particularly with the winter traffic and low visibility in the darker evenings.”

“I think it’s an accident waiting to happen,” she added.