Carol's Crossing gets the green light!

West Berkshire Council is delighted to announce that improvement works are now complete for a new footway adjacent to the A4 and the old Coach and Horses Public House. Whilst we were there, we also implemented wider footway improvements in Brimpton Road and a tactile crossing at the A4/Church Hill junction.

This improvement came about as for decades, Carol Pettifer watched the Bath Road get steadily busier while raising her family in the Brimpton Road Cottages. Now in her eighties, Carol saw the need for a safer, more accessible crossing to help residents, especially those less able, reach local amenities.

Determined to make a difference, Carol got in touch with Councillor Chris Read, Ward Member for Bucklebury, who passed on her request to our Highways Team.

Councillor Chris Read said:

"On behalf of the residents of Midgham, and in particular Brimpton Road, I would like to thank everyone involved in the delivery of this improvement. I am looking forward to hearing ideas from more residents like Carol in the future."

Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Environment and Highways, at West Berkshire Council, said:

"It was a real pleasure to meet Carol and see the difference this crossing will make for local residents. It is important to us that we continue to deliver services we are proud of across the district. Simple changes like this can have a big impact on everyday life, and it's great to know people will feel safer and more connected when moving around the area."

These works not only improve access for residents, they also open opportunities for visitors. People wishing to visit Midgham Marshes can now take the bus and enjoy a circular one kilometre walk to see the local wildlife, or use local footpaths to take in elevated views of the Kennet Valley.