READING Borough Council has laid out the details of its updated Local Transport Strategy, including proposed improvements to public transport, cycling routes, and pedestrian access.
The council is seeking to cut congestion and improve air quality through a number of measures which have been proposed in the plan, which extends through 2040.
It follows a number of public consultations on plans, with a further, final consultation period set to be approved at a Strategic Environment, Planning, and Transport Committee (SEPT) meeting next week.
The meeting will also examine proposals for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Reading, aimed at speeding up the transition to electric vehicles.
The strategy will consider what options the council has at its disposal to increase the infrastructure which supports EV usage in and around Reading.
Following the securing of external funding for the installation of charging points, the strategy will consider how to co-ordinate their installation, including a possible “pan-Berkshire” scheme which could see a county-wide roll-out.
John Ennis, Reading’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “As someone who was born and grew up in Reading, I have seen it morph from a market town into a major economic player in the region.
“Reading is a place where people want to live, work and visit, which we would never want to change, but we have a responsibility to residents to look at the thousands of new homes being built both inside Reading and just outside, knowing they will generate many more trips into town.
“They cannot all be car journeys and we are not prepared to stand by and do nothing while air pollution and congestion get worse.”
He continued: “Reading’s challenge remains to successfully absorb the growth in housing, jobs and commuting in the future, whilst protecting the health of local residents.
“That is what this strategy looks to achieve through the continued delivery of easy, affordable alternatives to the private car. Better and cheaper public transport, new dedicated cycling and walking routes and new infrastructure form the basis of this updated transport strategy for Reading.”
Cllr Ennis said that there was a “clear correlation” with Reading’s previous transport strategy, which included the provision of the new train station in Green Park.
He added: “This Council has a well-established track record of successfully bidding for external funding to deliver on its plans, and we intend to continue with that successful approach.”
As to whether Reading could expect a “congestion charge”, Cllr Ennis explained: “We are very clear that a congestion charge, like the one which operates in London and in other parts of the country, would not work in Reading.
“There are no proposals on the table to charge Reading residents, businesses and those who travel from outside the borough and stop in Reading.
“What we do want to explore are schemes which could deter vehicles which have no origin and no destination in Reading, who use our town as a rat run and give nothing back, other than contributing to poor air quality in parts of the town and poor health for residents.”
He added“We are open minded in terms of what a scheme could look like, and I’d also reiterate that any future proposal would be subject to detailed layers of public consultation with local residents, businesses and other organisations, including neighbouring councils, at the appropriate time.
“In the meantime, the Reading Transport Strategy 2040 is an important strategic document for the future of our town, and I would encourage as many people as possible to take some time to look and comment when the public consultation begins later this summer.”
Both the Reading Transport Strategy 2040 and the draft proposals for EV infrastructure will be considered at a SEPT meeting set for Thursday, June 29.
