CANCEL the cake – a set of traffic lights on a busy Reading road that have been out of action for nearly a year won’t be marking its first birthday after all. But it will be adding to traffic misery on the A4 London Road.
Last July, a collision at the junction of London Road with Cholmeley Road in Newtown saw the system get knocked down. And because they are old technology, getting replacements arranged has been difficult.
Instead, temporary lights have been used, and residents say they constantly fail, especially at weekends, meaning the junction becomes a give way section.
The problem has been compounded by the ongoing works to repaint the railway bridge by Suttons Seeds roundabout, causing long delays for residents trying to get out of Newtown.
But the green light is at the end of the tunnel, according to Cllr Tony Page, the lead councillor for climate strategy and transport at Reading Borough Council, who said work will start on Monday, March 20.
As the lights are on the A4 London Road, the work could mean additional delays for motorists already stuck in queues lasting up to an hour as they try and navigate the repainting works on the railway bridge.
At a council meeting held late last month, Park ward councillor and leader of the opposition, Cllr Rob White, raise the issue, telling the chamber that he had been told the lights would be replaced before Christmas.
He asked: “Residents frequently raise problems with the temporary traffic lights not working and causing hazards. Would the lead councillor like to apologise and what is his updated view on when new traffic lights will be installed?”
Cllr Page said the equipment used in the lights “had started to become obsolete” and the council was therefore investing in ‘pro-active’ junction upgrades.
“This is very costly and will be prioritised at those locations that are developing a greater number of faults,” he warned.
“The road traffic incident that led to much of the equipment at this site being destroyed, including the complex control unit, was clearly unforeseen, and has necessitated the redesign and complete technical refresh in an unscheduled way.”
He said while work had been undertaken, the council had faced supply chain issues caused in part by covid and the illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as engineering difficulties.
“An example of this is that, since initial investigation works were undertaken, there have been ducting collapses which will necessitate excavation of London Road – a traffic sensitive undertaking at the best of times,” he said.
“These duct repair works will commence imminently, which will allow installation of the new traffic signal equipment. It is expected that the signal replacement works will commence in the week commencing March 20, following completion of the duct repair works.
“While the delay in reinstatement is regretful, temporary traffic signals have been in place to assist local residents and the wider travelling public.”
