Strategy for travel in Reading including bus and cycle lanes to be adopted

A strategy dictating how people will drive, cycle and get about in Reading for the next 16 years is set to be adopted.

Discussions have taken place over a number of months about Reading Borough Council's transport strategy 2040.

Elements of the strategy include prioritising road space for buses and cyclists, and continuing to push for a third bridge over the River Thames.

The ambitions of the strategy are to reduce congestion, tackle poor air quality which blights some areas and create a healthier place for people living in the town.

A consultation on the strategy was held last autumn with 504 people responding.

The council administration has touted the consultation results as an endorsement of its objectives, stating that 68 per cent of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the strategy vision and objectives, with 22 per cent either disagreeing or strongly disagreeing, with 10 per cent saying they were unsure or did not answer.

For policy proposals, which include new bus and cycle lanes and a possible congestion charge for drivers using Reading as a 'cut through' 64 per cent agreed or strongly agreed, and 24 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed; with 12 per cent being unsure or did not answer. Elements of the strategy have been adjusted following feedback.

Crucially, references to the use of cars have been strengthened to recognise that the private car will still be an important mode of travel for many people. The wording has been adjusted to clarify the council's desire to deliver segregated cycle lanes where feasible and when funding is available.

Additionally, on cross-Thames travel -which involves the council's desires to push for a third Thames bridge- text has been updated to clearly set out the positions of the relevaand the Council’s desire to work with these stakeholders.

That could include a controversial policy to reduce traffic lanes in London Road from three to two to create cycle lanes from Cemetery Junction to Donnington Road and further west.

A concept image for changes to London Road in Reading between its junctions with Cemetery Junction and Donnington Road.

Following the consultation, the council is now set to move the strategy forward at a meeting on its strategic environment, transport and planning committee on Thursday, June 27.

If the committee agrees to move forward, the strategy will be officially adopted at a full council meeting in October this year.

James Crosbie, the council's assistant director for planning and transport said: “We would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the online survey, attend a public drop-in session or send in comments as part of the strategy consultation.

“We believe we now have a strong local transport plan which addresses the key challenges and opportunities facing the borough and which will put Reading in the best possible position for the future.”