THE SITE of a former Primark store in Reading has been green-lit to be developed into a cycle hub.
Following a Reading Borough Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday, November 2, the site at 32 West Street has been chosen as the location for bicycle storage.
Plans could also see other activities run from the hub, including bicycle loaning and donation schemes and maintenance facilities.
The plans, run in partnership with Ethical Reading and the Reading Bicycle Kitchen, and supported by Primark, will see Department for Transport funding used to run the project for a year.
The hub is intended to be open from 7am-7pm, seven days a week, and set to open “in the new year.”
Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “I’m pleased our plans for the cycle hub have been approved and our work towards establishing Reading’s new cycle hub can now progress.
“Alongside our investment in improvements to cycling and walking routes across the borough, the cycle hub will form an important part of our ambition and vision for active travel in Reading and getting people cycling more.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to the support we’ve received from Primark, in offering the unit at a reduced rate. By working closely in partnership with Reading Bicycle Kitchen and Ethical Reading, we hope to make this initiative a success.
“The hub may offer the opportunity for people who may not be able to afford a bike, to cycle, through a ‘try before you buy’ donation/loan scheme.
“We hope that the hub will encourage many more people to cycle, particularly those who have concerns with theft and/or vandalism.
“In addition, we need to incentivise travel by bike for leisure purposes, as well as encourage those who may not normally choose to travel this way to consider it as an option.”
Joe Edwards, chairperson at Reading Cycle Campaign, said: “We are delighted that Reading Borough Council is going ahead with the Cycle Hub offering secure bike parking and complementary services and activities.
“We feel that the opportunity for cyclists to safely park their bikes in the town centre will help to boost retail and leisure sales, while reducing car traffic– a great step forward.”
Cllr Tony Page added: “Our investment in the cycle hub is just one part of the wider picture of increasing active travel in Reading.
“We have our spend approval request for the Bath Road scheme next week, and our work to implement cycling and walking improvements along the Shinfield Road, from Christchurch Green to Whitley Wood Road, started at the beginning of November.
“We have also achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, and Sidmouth Street delivered as part of Tranche 1 funding.”
Ethical Reading volunteer Ian Germer, who has worked with fellow volunteers Rob Hill and Susan Children on the project, commented: “We are delighted with the progress the council has made since we raised this idea with them in September 2020.
“While there has been a lot of attention paid to improving cycle routes, we felt more needed to be done to enable people to feel secure about leaving their bikes in town.
“This is a great location in the heart of Reading town centre, which we hope will stimulate recreational as well as commuter cycling in and out of Reading.
“Well done to Reading Council for making this happen.”
The proposals are just one of a number of active travel initiatives that Reading Borough Council is pursuing.
On Wednesday, November 16, a report going to strategic environment, planning and transport committee will seek funding for the Bath Road/Castle Hill Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 scheme.
The scheme aims to provide segregated cycle facilities and pedestrian enhancements on the Bath Road between Reading town centre and Berkeley Avenue.
