HIGHWAYS England have been told to 'get their act together' and install signs explaining the new road layout on the A329(M) after motorists expressed their shock at the 'dangerous' lack of forewarning.

The road, a key route between Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell, has been reduced to single carriageway through the M4 junctions with the left hand lane now a filter solely for accessing the busy motorway. 

Drivers caught out by the change have branded the new layout 'extremely dangerous' after workers left the site last Friday without erecting explanatory signs.

One of those confused by the change was driver Helen Spendlove, she said:  "I nearly had an accident yesterday when travelling from Winnersh to Bracknell to find the road layout had been changed with no signs or warnings. I found myself in the lane forcing me to go on the M4. This is outrageous and I dread to think what it will be like in rush hour. Whatever were they thinking?"

Wokingham Borough Council own the stretch of A329(M) and say they have told Highways England, who are responsible for the change, to act urgently to prevent drivers making last ditch attempts to swerve into the right hand lane.

The council's executive member for transport John Kaiser said: "We have written to the Highways Agency and asked them to get their act together. Although we own that bit of the motorway we do not actually have the resources to do the work.

"We don't want to get into a fight over it with them but we have made it clear the signs are not adequate and we have said they are needed urgently, both temporary signs right now and permanent signs too.

"We have been very clear with them and we have asked them to expediate it as soon as possible." 

Work on the road began in January as part of a national ‘pinch point’ programme designed to ease congestion and reduce accidents. 

Highways England say they plan to install signs this week. 

Project sponsor Ed French said: "The recent improvements to the A329(M) and M4 link roads are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion. Following completion of the work we have listened to feedback from drivers and will be installing additional signage to advise of the changes."