A retail park in Reading is working to address complaints about new speed bumps that visitors have labelled as painful for women and people with spine issues.
Reading Gate Retail Park, which is home to shops including McDonalds, Currys, and TK Maxx off the A33, has two sets of speed bumps at the main entrance and exit of the site.
The site's managers, Savills, installed the speed bumps in September to combat 'anti-social behaviour at the scheme', according to a spokesperson.
Now they have come under fire from visitors who say they are not comfortable for some drivers.
One Reading resident said 'ladies will understand the pain' of driving over the speed bumps while not wearing a bra - and she questioned whether those behind the traffic measure had considered its impact on some women.
There have been complaints about these new speed bumps at Reading Gate Retail Park - now the site says it’s looking to address the issue ‘as a priority’. pic.twitter.com/ogW6NMYa51
— Richard Lemmer (@RichardLemmer89) November 11, 2024
The 32-year-old said: "I didn't have the foresight to put a bra on before nipping to the DIY store and despite going over the speed bumps at two miles per hour, I can only liken the experience to running down a flight of stairs with your hands full - sans bra. Ladies will understand this pain.
"It makes you wonder if they even consider women when they create these traffic measures.
"I highly recommend ladies ensuring they are wearing a bra for future trips to the retail park.
"Or maybe keep a spare in the glove compartment?"
One Burghfield resident said he had been a regular visitor of the retail park - but now he avoids the site as the speed bumps are too uncomfortable due to a previous injury.
Speaking to The Reading Chronicle, the 48-year-old said: "My partner and I used to go quite regularly.
"We both have sensitive backs after being in a car crash several years ago.
"Going over the bumps really felt uncomfortable.
"We weren't going quickly - maybe a few miles per hour.
"Since then we have rarely gone back. Every time I think of popping in, I think, 'ah no, shouldn't go there now'."
"They need to get rid of it."
Another visitor posting on social media called the speed bumps 'horrific'.
They added: "The bumps are so harsh and way too close together.
"Thoughts and prayers to anyone leaving with a drink from McDonald’s in their cup holder, you ain’t making it back onto the A33 with a dry interior."
Site manager's Savills is looking to install signs to warn drivers about the speed bumps, a spokesperson from the firm said.
They added: "Following discussions with Reading Council, speed bumps were installed at the entrance of Reading Gate Retail Park in September this year to mitigate anti-social behaviour at the scheme.
"As the appointed managing agent at the site, Savills can confirm that the speed bumps were installed to British Standard height and the site is in the process of arranging for the installation of signage to accompany the speed bumps as a matter of priority."
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