The speed limit on Old Forest Road in Winnersh and Emmbrook could soon be reduced to 30 miles per hour.

Councillor Paul Fishwick, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways, looks set to make the decision this coming Friday, May 12.

The coming decision follows a council consultation of residents—with some writing in to back proposals to cut the speed limit, which is currently 40 miles per hour.

One resident said: “This 30 mph speed limit has my full support. It is something residents and ward members have wanted for a long time.

“Residents living along the road should not have to put up with traffic travelling at 40 mph any longer.”

Another said: “I live on Lowther Close and regularly use this stretch of road as a motorist, cyclist and pedestrian. The pavement is narrow and very close to traffic, so I think this would make it feel safer for everyone and help encourage active travel.”

And two more responses said that residents had been calling for the speed limit to be cut “for years.” No responses to the consultation objected.

The council first considered cutting the speed limit on Old Forest Road in 2019. But it says Thames Valley Police did not support the proposals at that time “due to lack of physical measures to encourage drivers to reduce their speeds.”

The new proposal says the plan is to introduce the new speed limit “by virtue of street lighting.” By law, any road that has street lights every 200 yards or less is automatically a 30 miles per hour zone.

Council officers are recommending that Cllr Fishwick approves the plan when he makes his ruling at 2:30pm on Friday.