Work starts on new cycle route in Reading
Council say it will link town centre with 'centres of employment'
Plans to improve cycling and walking along the Shinfield Road in Reading will see work start this week.
The new cycle route along Shinfield Road – between Christchurch Green and Shinfield Rise and will link south Reading and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the University of Reading, local centres and Reading Town Centre.
It links with existing new cycle routes delivered by the Council on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road in the first stage of its Active Travel programme.
New advanced stop lines and early release for cyclists will be provided to improve safety. A number of new and improved crossings for pedestrians are also part of the scheme.
The first phase of works will be split into three sections:
Chancellor’s Way junction to Pepper Lane
Junction of Queens Drive to Chancellor’s Way
Christchurch Road to Queens Drive.
Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:
“The proposed two-way cycle lane will link to key centres of employment in Reading, such as the Royal Berkshire Hospital, The University and, of course, the Town Centre itself.
“As part of our wider Climate Emergency Strategy, this work underlines the Council’s wholehearted commitment to tackling poor air quality which we know exists in parts of Reading.
“It has never been more important to create realistic alternatives to the private car, not only in terms of tackling congestion and air quality but also for the residents and local communities who live on key routes.
“This excellent news comes in the wake of our plans to implement further cycling and walking improvements stretching from Berkeley Avenue along the Bath Road to Castle Hill, then running over the IDR to Castle Street, as well as our recent decision to make permanent the fully segregated cycle lane along Sidmouth Street.
"We have also achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, delivered as part of the first phase of funding.”