Neighbours are being invited to share their views about measures to improve journeys for cyclists along one of the busiest roads in Reading.
The A4 Bath Road runs from central Reading west, past the borough boundary with West Berkshire all the way to its eponymous city in Somerset.
One of the busiest roads in the town, it provides access to The Wren secondary school and the Spire Dunedin Hospital, with thousands of residents using it each day.
Reading Borough Council has recently launched a consultation into making improvements for cyclists along the road, despite the planned improvements first emerging five years ago in 2021.
The prospect of the upgrade was enabled after the council received a £1.3 million grant from the previous Conservative government.
Initially, the proposals involved fully segregated cycle lanes and adjustments to the Castle Street and IDR roundabout to accommodate cyclists.
These designs have now been revised. A key change is that the cycle lane for the Castle Street and IDR roundabout will be routed to the edges of the road rather than through the middle.
Furthermore, the Castle Street approach heading westbound would be reduced from three to two lanes.
Another big change would be a switch from a stepped cycle track segregating cyclists from drivers and pedestrians to ‘light segregation methods’ such as ‘cycle wands’, which are bollards in the road that divide cyclists from drivers or cycle delineators called ‘armadillos’ that are bolted onto the road and allow emergency vehicles to drive over them.
The adjustments mean an informal consultation is being held.
John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport and climate strategy, said: “This key route into and out of town is not currently easy for cyclists to negotiate and needs upgrading.
“It has taken some time and a lot of work behind the scenes to reach this stage, but we must make sure we put in the best possible scheme for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.
“We want to remove barriers to cycling and make it a more attractive option for people travelling around Reading by making it quicker, more convenient and safer.
“This scheme will provide a missing link which would allow cyclists to travel to and from the town centre and across the IDR more safely.
“Transport accounts for around 26% of carbon emissions in Reading and the Council is serious about reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality and residents’ health by encouraging cycling, walking and use of public transport.
“The route along Bath Road and Castle Hill is a very busy one, and we are keen to hear the views of local residents, businesses, commuters and everyone else who uses it.”
You can take part in the consultation online via the council’s Go Vocal consultation website.
It is open until 5pm on Tuesday, August 25.
