SPEEDING is not the major problem on an 'unsafe' road, concerned parents have been told by a roads boss.

Cookham residents gathered on Monday evening to hear the results of a survey carried out on Lower Road where two schoolchildren were hurt last year.

There have been eight crashes or injuries in the last five years.

Worried mums called for a pedestrian crossing or other measures to reduce speed at a public meeting in November.

Tests were carried out to see how fast cars were going.

But the average speed was found to be 30 to 32 mph at peak morning times, officials at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said.

Tony Carr, traffic and road safety manager, also told the meeting, of the eight accidents since 2005, speeding was only a factor in one and this also involved alcohol.

He presented a range of different options to make the road safer including chicanes, raised table junctions or different kinds of crossing.

But he explained each was costly and had their own difficulties.

“Traffic calming measures are becoming increasingly unpopular due to the noise and vibration and it's quite intrusive and expensive,” he said.

A zebra crossing would cost £25,000, a signal controlled crossing £40,000 and a raised table junction £7,000. The cheapest option – a refuge island – would be £5,000.

Introducing a 20mph currently has to include one of these measures by law, but the new Government are exploring whether to change this, Mr Carr said.

Mother-of-two Sharon Price, a personal trainer of Burnt Oak, who created a petition, has been involved in discussions with council officers.

School pupil Daniel White, the son of her friend Claire White, was injured in july 2009 and Mrs Price told the meeting: “It was a very traumatic thing for the family and everyone involved at the time.”

Cars parked on the pavement obstructing the view was a factor in the accident, Mr Carr confirmed.

Mrs Price said there was a “clear need and desire to slow this road down”.

Cookham Parish Councillor Mandy Brar said: “By Country Stores and Elizabeth House there's always been a problem.

“I have been campaigning for a crossing there and nothing has been done. I think the problem has got worse for the safety of the children something needs to be done before something serious happens.”

A questionnaire was given out to residents asking whether they agree with installing a pedestrian crossing, where it should be located and what other measures they want to see.

Results will ready after the deadline of Friday August 13.