Road safety calls after fatal Reading crashes like Sheldon Lewcock

The council has been slammed for not taking action after at least three fatalities have been reported since August 2022.

At a recent full council meeting, councillor Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) presented a motion calling for the council to act on road safety.

Cllr Singh mentioned Sheldon Lewcock a cyclist on an electronic bike who died after a crash with a van on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

READ MORE: Sheldon Lewcock's mum 'wants answers' after investigation goes quiet

He also mentioned Ralph and Brenda Jenkins, who died after being involved in a crash with a car in Park Lane, Tilehurst, on October 7, 2022.

In the motion, cllr Singh called for the council to publish road safety information on its website and the chief executive to write to Thames Valley Police Berkshire chief superintendent Sarah Grahame to put initiatives in place to crack down on dangerous drivers in Reading.

Councillor Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) presented his Anti-Social Driving and Road Safety Motion at full meeting of Reading Borough Council on Wednesday, January 31). Credit: Reading Borough Council

But the motion was countered in an amendment by Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) the lead councillor for transport.

The amended motion recognised the concerns about speeding, but complained about a lack of visible enforcement by Thames Valley Police and asked for the transfer of speed enforcement from the police to the council.

But in an olive branch to the police, Cllr Page’s motion stated the force had faced ‘punitive’ government funding cuts since 2010.

The amended Anti-Social Driving and Road Safety Motion to Reading Borough Council. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Cllr Singh accused the Labour Party of political point-scoring.

Indeed, cllr Page took a jab at cllr Singh, saying he “only has a few left on the council”, an allusion to the local elections in May, where cllr Singh will be defending his seat from Labour challenger Mamuna Naz and candidates from other parties.

Ultimately, the amendment passed after all Labour and Liberal Democrats voted for it, as did the majority of Greens, with the Conservatives voting against it.

Only cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) abstained, with cllr Anne Thompson (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) clarifying that the Lib Dems would have voted for the original motion as well.

Cllr Singh expressed disappointment at the failure of the motion, stating that it was about “sending a message” that the council really represents residents and would do all in its power to tackle dangerous driving.

Raj Singh, Conservative councillor for Kentwood ward, who is up for election this year. Credit: Reading West Conservatives

He said: “I’m afraid we failed to do that, instead we made it political.

“We put in an amendment with highly politicised comments. I’m saddened.

“The council chambers are not Westminster. We’re not full-time politicians, we put residents' needs first.

“I do understand Labour councillors have a brute majority, they can walk all over us, but the intent was to do something within our power.

“I’m afraid we’ve failed.”

Ralph and Brenda Jenkins, who died after a crash in Park Lane, Tilehurst, on Thursday, October 7, 2022. Credit: Thames Valley Police

Cllr Singh added that the failure of his amendment was a missed opportunity, but praised Green and Lib Dem councillors for being more constructive and less partisan than Labour members.

The amended motion was passed at the full council meeting on Tuesday, January 31.

Sheldon Lewcock, who died following a crash on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. Credit: Family Tribute Handout

The original motion called for the council to take part in Road Safety Week, held by the charity Brake.