Absolutely crazy’ road junction that baffles drivers and cost taxpayers £5.5m is nominated for top design award
Locals are furious after a controversial road junction which cost taxpayers £5.5 million and has been dubbed a ‘deadly playground’ was nominated for a top design award.
Last year the junction in Finchampstead, Berkshire, underwent a £5.5million makeover which saw it painted with an oak leaf design rather than traditional white stripes in a bid to make it more ‘pedestrian-friendly’.
The new layout caused anger among locals who described it as an ‘accident waiting to happen’.
At the time, more than 1,400 people demanded changes to the new intersection design.
But now the redesign has been shortlisted in the Active Travel Scheme of the Year category as well as Line Marking and Street Design.
Wokingham Borough Council has also said the junction has been named Best Community Project in the Landor LINKS Active Travel Directory and Yearbook 2025-26.
Adrian Betteridge, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for transport, said it was ‘great’ to see the project recognised.
But responses from fellow residents have been less glowing – with many slamming the council for the redesign.
Last year the junction in Finchampstead, Berkshire, underwent a £5.5million makeover which saw it painted with an oak leaf design
Resident Jackie Robinault told the BBC she was ‘amazed’ it had been shortlisted, and described the redesign as ‘a disaster’.
She said: ‘I think it was a waste of money – I think it was better as it was.
‘People seem to have forgotten that it’s a roundabout, don’t know what to do when they get here.’
Another local, Alex Sykes, also told said the confusion over priority was a problem.
He said: ‘Some people dither and very sensibly go ‘what do we do’, and some people bomb it and go straight over… I wouldn’t give it any awards for innovation, to be honest.’
One local said the leaf patterns are, whilst ‘pretty in design’ – highly confusing for drivers and pedestrians.
They added the design is an ‘accident waiting to happen’ and a ‘complete waste of public money’.
The new layout caused anger among locals who described it as an ‘accident waiting to happen’
The local said: ‘Leaf patterns – patterns!
‘Do you know that’s important on roads? Clarity! Not patterns.
‘Clarity, so everyone is acting in a predicable and uniform manner.
‘They have done the opposite here. It might look pretty but prettiness is not what road users are looking for in road traffic markings.
‘What we need is to approach a junction and know immediately who has right of way, who has to give way, and what rights pedestrians have.
‘Here, we are all bemused.
‘It is an accident waiting to happen and a complete waste of public money.’
Another stated the definition of a zebra crossing and questioned why the community are part of an ‘experiment’.
They said: ‘A zebra crossing (British English) or a marked crosswalk (American English) is a pedestrian crossing marked with white stripes (zebra markings).
More than 1,400 people demanded changes to the new intersection design in Finchampstead
‘Normally, pedestrians are afforded precedence over vehicular traffic, although the significance of the markings may vary by jurisdiction.
‘Any reason why we’re part of an experiment, why not use a Zebra crossing, you know the one that’s in the Highway Code?
‘I looked up leaves but nothing in the Highway Code about leaves on the road!’
One person compared the redesign to a deadly playground.
They explained: ‘It looks like a playground! So deadly for children who are going to think they can play in the road.’
A resident slammed the redesign, dismissing it as a zebra crossing because local children allegedly wanted to play ‘hop scotch’ on it.
She said: ‘This is not a zebra crossing, it’s an accident waiting to happen.
‘I’m a good driver and drive with care and attention to all but not everyone does.
Critics argue the markings make the pedestrian crossing look like a playground, which could be ‘deadly’ for children, but the council says it encourages drivers to slow down
‘There needs to be clear lights like every other crossing and don’t even get me started on the leaves.
‘A child wanted to play hop scotch with them a couple of days ago.
‘I suggest this gets rectified according to the highway code before there’s a terrible accident.’
One local said the design is not appropriate for people with visual impairment or guide dogs.
They explained: ‘This is dangerous for those with visual impairment, and for children who might think this is a new playground game.
‘Did you consult Guide Dogs for the Blind, for example, to see if they are training their guide dogs to navigate random pretty patterns and know this is where their partner crosses?’
Many say they ‘cannot believe’ the ‘bizarre’ redesign was implemented and approved by National Highways.
They added: ‘This is bizarre to say the least.
One local said the design is not appropriate for people with visual impairment or guide dogs
‘Drivers should be focusing on the road and potential hazards not being confused and distracted by leaves painted onto the surface.
‘It should be painted as a normal roundabout that people are familiar with and know how to deal with when approaching.
‘This is plain daft and I can’t believe highways approved such a scheme.’
Wokingham Borough Council said a study found pedestrians crossed the road in less time and drivers gave way more often.
A monitoring road safety audit will take place in October.
