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Written on 21st June 2016

Reading road users are calling for Reading County Council to assess a roundabout that is causing concern about road safety for cyclists.

In November last year Peter Hughes, an IT consultant was cycling across roundabout connecting Caversham and Vastern Roads when a car struck him. He was left in a three week induced coma with brain injuries.

This incident has resulted in Reading road users to call for road safety reforms on the roundabout. A campaign for safer cycling passage has been set up following the serious injuries sustained by Mr Hughes and another cyclist sustaining minor injuries at the same spot two weeks ago.

The campaign has said that the shrubbery on the roundabout obscures visibility for cyclists and drivers, which in turn creates a high risk of an accident occurring. Mr Hughes has called for an investigation into the shrubbery on the roundabout.

Mr Hughes said to the Reading Chronicle, “I can’t stand the idea that someone else might have to go through what my family and I have to go through, and a way to reduce that risk is by reassessing that roundabout to check it is safe for use”. His partner Ms Dunbar agreed and commented, “The road layout on that roundabout is all wrong” she went on to say “It is difficult to see people coming from your right because of the shrubbery on the top which makes getting round there quite nerve racking”.

As a result of the accident, Mr Hughes struggles to read and write, his sense of smell has disappeared and he is left with vision problems. Despite his injuries, he doesn’t have a grudge towards the driver who collided with him. The driver had been in a rental car for only 15 minutes before the collision and was subsequently convicted of driving without due care or attention. However, Mr Hughes believes that whilst the sentence is reasonable he is more concerned about the awareness of cyclists on the road and the council implementing ways to make the roads safer.

Reading County Council has said that it will look very closely that the police report and take any reasonable action.

Adrianna Rajwa, a specialist in road traffic accidents at Boyes Turner, commented:

“This was an unfortunate accident which could have potentially been avoided. I do hope that the Council will press ahead and implement some safety measures as quickly as possible so that the roundabout becomes safer for cyclists. Cycling injuries can be particularly severe and should be prevented at all costs”.

Boyes Turner’s specialist Personal Injury Lawyers have represented many clients with severe brain injuries including those injured as a result of a car, motorbike and bicycle accidents. These include acting for a University student who sustained severe head injuries after a road traffic accident. Some of our cyclist clients included Mr J in his claim for personal injury and loss as a result of a cycling accident which occurred in May 2011 on the Albert Embankment, London. We also represented Mr G who was knocked down by a speeding moped and subsequently sustaining significant injury.

Our expert brain injury and road traffic accident lawyers aim to improve the quality of life of our clients by focusing on early rehabilitation and training. We have access to case managers to ensure that practical assistance is given as soon as possible and we can arrange for interim payments to be made to deal with any pressing financial needs or purchase any equipment or care that is necessary.