Plans for a new road layout on a key route into Reading are to be considered next week. The proposed changes would allow for a new bus lane and introduce expanded capacity for vehicles travelling towards the town centre on Sidmouth Street and a scaling back of an underused cycle lane.
The plans will be recommended to members of the Council’s Traffic Management Sub-Committee on Thursday 5 March.
The two-lane cycle facility was initially introduced on the southbound carriageway in Sidmouth Street as a temporary measure, following a Government grant during the COVID 19 pandemic to promote active travel and facilitate social distancing.
It was made permanent in September 2022 with the ambition that it would eventually feed into future cycle schemes. However, the lack of funding available to link the existing lane to other cycle routes and good nearby alternative provision means it has been underutilised.
As part of an ongoing review of the transport network an exercise was undertaken to improve the overall performance of the road system in the area.
This considered the potential impact of introducing a previously approved new bus lane on London Road, inbound between Sidmouth Street and London Street, to improve public transport reliability and journey times.
The proposed expansion of space for general traffic on Sidmouth Street would help cater for any displaced vehicles.
Four possible options were considered for the new road layout on Sidmouth Street. The preferred choice is for the retention of a southbound cycle lane south of the South Street junction to London Road and two-lane entry on to Sidmouth Street from London Road, increasing to three lanes between South Street and Queens Road – one left turn and two right turns.
If the plans are approved, a statutory consultation will take place and any objections will be reported to a future meeting of the Traffic Management Sub-committee.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:
“There is a lot of pressure on the road network around Reading and this is one of the busiest routes in the town. The Council is always reviewing the transport network and it makes sense to ensure we are making the best possible use of the road space we have.
“Due to the lack of funding available to connect the existing Sidmouth Street cycle lane to other routes, it is understandably underused and there is decent alternative nearby provision well-used by cyclists. This change will retain some cycle provision but also increase capacity to cope with any displaced traffic as a result of the new bus lane due to be introduced on London Road.
“As well as improving public transport journey times and reliability, the new bus lane will create another shared space and safer route for cyclists travelling westbound towards town.”
(Picture: Reading Borough Council)
