Likening junction to Post Office scandal 'appalling'

A councillor's comments comparing a controversial junction redesign to the Post Office Horizon scandal have been branded "appalling".

The California Cross junction in Wokingham, Berkshire, has been the subject of debate since it reopened in autumn 2024, with concerns mainly centred around its safety.

Councillor Peter Harper accused the Liberal Democrat administration of "waving the flag about how wonderful the scheme is" despite the concerns being raised.

But the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Stephen Conway, called the comparison "unwarranted".

On Tuesday, Mr Harper presented a petition calling for changes to be made, signed by 1,600 residents, to an overview and scrutiny management committee meeting.

He said: "I get a feeling of this as a sort of discussion the Post Office were having when the Horizon scheme was being discussed – everyone was raising concerns, we have the executive members waving the flag about how wonderful the scheme is, with their heads in the sand.

"I think we should be listening to the people who are using that scheme, we should be listening to the safety experts."

• Post Office Horizon scandal: Why hundreds were wrongly prosecuted

Mr Conway said his "appalling and unwarranted" comments went "well beyond the line of what can be considered acceptable".

He also accused the Conservatives of "undermining public confidence" in the junction.

"Our officers have safety as their primary concern throughout the design and implementation of all highways projects, including this one," he said.

Mr Harper said he had received "many emails" from residents concerned about the safety of the junction, adding: "They believe a serious accident is only a matter of time."

He accused the council of having a "wait and see" approach to road safety.

"At the meeting on Tuesday, I likened the council's approach to that of the Post Office and the Horizon scandal where despite many claims that the IT system was faulty, the Post Office were more interested in protecting their reputation than delivering justice," he said.

"Of course, the problems of a village roundabout do not compare to the devastation caused by the Post Office scandal, but it is illustrative of mindset that is prevalent in many institutions in the UK."

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