Road workers threatened by motorists near Wokingham
One motorist threatened to stab a construction worker at Finchampstead
Last updated 16th Feb 2024
Construction workers have come under physical and verbal attack at roadworks near Wokingham this week.
At the California Cross junction in Finchampstead, road workers received threats of being stabbed and punched, while another was deliberately struck by a car.
On Tuesday (13 February) a motorist threatened to stab a worker before speeding off while the crew were setting up traffic controls to close Nine Mile Ride. Later, a motorist threatened to punch another worker.
A physical assault took place on Wednesday morning (14 February) when a driver intentionally hit a road worker using their vehicle, before fleeing the scene. The car’s registration number has been submitted to police for investigation.
The workers are equipped with body cameras to capture any incidents and supply to police for prosecution.
Reprehensible behaviour
Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways said:
“This is completely unacceptable. These hardworking people have been threatened with stabbing and intentionally hit by a car just for doing their job.
“Road workers are there to do a job and to earn a living. How would the rest of us like it if our lives were threatened while we were just doing our jobs?
“This is completely unacceptable and we will use every power available to us to prosecute those responsible for such reprehensible behaviour.
“And, to those who are going around intentionally stirring up trouble in the area, I am asking you to stop and think of the consequences of what you are doing.”
A sense of community
Wokingham borough council say the works at California Cross, which started this week, are designed to bring a sense of community to the centre of Finchampstead village by improving the area for pedestrians, redesigning access to the car parking areas, and installing attractive new streetlights, plantings, bollards and totems.
As part of the first phase, Finchampstead Road will be closed from the Ratepayers Hall to the crossroads and Nine Mile Ride will be closed from just past Gorse Ride to the crossroads.