Motorists who have been moving safety barriers to drive down a road in Finchampstead while it is closed for roadworks have been branded selfish and dangerous.

Impatient drivers have repeatedly moved the barriers blocking access to Nine Mile Ride between Sandhurst Road and Heathlands Road, so they can still drive along it.

Councillor Keith Baker, executive member for transport at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “This is quite a regular issue where you have inconsiderate and selfish drivers.

“When a road is closed it is closed for a reason and it’s not uncommon for drivers to move things and go on pavements.

“It is in many ways quite selfish and does have safety implications for people using the pavements.”

Cllr Baker also said he had seen a situation in Reading Road in Woodley where drivers were mounting the pavement on a blind bend to dodge roadworks, despite not knowing if anyone was on the pavement around the corner.

The section of Nine Mile Ride has been closed for essential utilities maintenance since Monday, October 31, and is not due to reopen until Monday, November 28.

But neighbourhood police officers on routine patrols have repeatedly been forced to stop and reposition barriers which have been moved.

Cllr Baker said the council would work with the utility companies to make sure barriers were as robust as possible. He said: “All we can do is make sure that the utilities doing the work make it as robust as possible to make sure that people cannot go through.

“You would be amazed at what people will do, they will move brick block walls in order to get past.

“It is that sort of mentality.”

A diversion is in place along Lower Wokingham Road, Dukes Ride, and New Wokingham Road.

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