Cameras finally installed to catch traffic light jumpers

A SPEED camera system to improve road safety has been installed in Wargrave following a 13-year campaign by residents.

Devices have been placed in High Street, at the junction with School Lane, as part of a special pilot programme.

They will be able to detect speeding as well as capture those drivers who fail to stop when the traffic lights are red.

Residents have raised concerns about drivers misusing the crossroads for years and in 2023, more than 20 residents stood together at the junction to raise awareness of the issue.

Chris Cordrey, of Victoria Road, spearheaded the push for cameras after he was overtaken by a Tesla driver at the traffic lights in High Street from the direction of Twyford which then jumped the red light.

A month later, another driver overtook him in School Lane in order to jump a red light and turned right towards Henley. Mr Cordrey received about 150 responses from other villagers who had experienced similar incidents.

He said that he has contacted Thames Valley Police “every month” since calling for action.

Mr Cordrey said: “I have been involved with this for coming up to three years and neighbours have been trying to get something done for the past 10.

“We have yelled. We have gone to our local parish council and then we have gone to the police and Wokingham Borough Council and finally, we have got something.

”People I know have suffered some injuries there as well as getting their cars written off. These cameras are a great result for the development of safety campaigns around Wargrave. Every day I hear people say they have seen someone jump the red light or someone has gone around instead of waiting at the red lights.

“Thames Valley Police have taken 13 long years to actually hear us. We’ve really struggled so I’m so pleased.”

Mr Cordrey has been working with parish councillor Wayne Smith to get signage installed to inform drivers they are approaching a “pedestrian first” junction.

Jayne Worrall, landlady at the Bull in High Street for 30 years, welcomes the camera system after witnessing speeding at the junction regularly.

She said: “Something had to happen because people weren’t taking any notice.

“Maybe cameras will make people think twice and drive responsibly.

“Several times a week I see people speeding or they have been going through the red light. The camera is a huge plus and it’s an excellent result for Chris who has spearheaded this project from day one.”

Thames Valley Police said that it had received a number of reports of collisions at the junction and there were ongoing concerns about red light running in the area.

Detective chief inspector Justin Thomas, joint operations head of roads policing, said: “Safety on our roads is a priority for Thames Valley Police and our partners.

“The cameras will hopefully protect those using the High Street crossing, as well as reduce collisions at the junction in Wargrave, where red light jumping has become an issue.

“The consequences of jumping a red light where pedestrians are crossing has potentially fatal consequences.

“I would urge motorists to take extra care, slow down and never run the risk.”