A device to warn speeding drivers to slow down has been approved for installation on Reading Road. 

Wokingham Borough Council has agreed to implement a Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) sign on the road either side of Hanwood Close in Woodley after years of concerns over speeding and poor signage of changing limits. 

VAS are electric signs which display a message or speed when triggered by vehicles travelling over the road limit.  

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The signs can display the speed limit or they can warn drivers of an approaching hazard and are aimed at addressing specific road safety problems. 

Woodley Town Councillor, Carol Jewell, who has been advocating for the installation, said: “It’s a long running problem and I do a lot of cycling and walking there, doing so I noticed how bad the signage was. 

"It’s obstructed by a tree as it goes from 40mph to 30. Giving drivers the benefit of the doubt, they might not see the sign. 

“Cycling down there is always a challenge as it’s a long, straight road so it can be quite fast. I think it’s also helpful for anyone coming out of their drive on Reading Road. 

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“Those that are already doing 30 can ignore it but it’s a reminder for others who haven’t really appreciated where they have moved from one speed limit to another.” 

VAS signs can cost between £10,000 and £15,000 to install, which has resulted in Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (MVAS) becoming more popular as they can be moved around and, at roughly £3,000, cost significantly less than the permanent signs. 

Discussions have taken place on installing a speed camera at the location, but concerns were raised regarding whether there is the requisite distance between variable speed limits to implement it. 

The VAS is expected to be in place by June of this year. 

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Assistant director for highways and transport at Wokingham Borough Council, Andy Glencross, said: “The signs we intend to install at Reading Road in Woodley are part of a programme in which vehicle-activated signs can be temporarily placed to address concerns about traffic speed from residents and other members of the community.

“They've been shown to be an effective deterrent on roads where, on the whole, motorists obey the speed limit so there's no basis for changing it.

"The latest round of vehicle-activated signs will go up as soon as possible at 28 locations across the borough and will be in place for a short period of up to three months.”