By Cllr Stephen Goss
The Reading Transport Strategy is out for public consultation. It is the Council’s plan for developing our transport network from now until 2040.
It encourages those with the capacity to move out of their cars and onto public transport or active forms of travel such as walking and cycling.
The Strategy should certainly be welcomed. It provides for increased capacity at pinch points, traffic signal upgrades, safety enhancements, and more landscaping.
It suggests another crossing over the Thames – a piece of local infrastructure necessary since the 1940s.
Reading has one of the best bus services in the country. The strategy promises improvements to the network, and bus ‘rapid transit corridors’ alongside a ‘superbus’ network of high-frequency routes.
As a full double-decker bus removes up to 75 cars from the road, making bus travel faster and more attractive makes sense.
Creating car clubs (pay-per-trip car clubs allow individuals to have as much access to a car as they need, without having to own one) is recommended. This is welcome, as one car club car removes on average 20 private cars from the roads.
It is considerably cheaper than owning a car, thereby providing affordable mobility to low-income households.
There are proposals to establish residential bike storage facilities for people who don’t have space for a bike – particularly in areas of terraced housing. Both Reading West and Tilehurst stations will be upgraded and (finally) get lifts to their platforms.
However, there are some areas of concern. More bus lanes make sense, but the Council must prove the proposals will actually reduce congestion.
The Strategy suggests reducing the amount of road space available to private vehicles on the IDR. This alone will not reduce congestion – and could increase it. Beyond infuriating drivers, what plans do the Council have for encouraging modal shift for those travelling into central Reading by this route?
The plans outlined for Reading’s cycle network are great – but the current state and dis-jointed nature of our cycle lanes do not inspire confidence the Council can deliver. The strategy suggests ‘Green Parking Charges’ where drivers of older, more polluting vehicles pay higher parking charges than those with electric or hybrid vehicles. This should be dropped.
It would disproportionately disadvantage those on lower incomes who cannot afford electric vehicles but have no choice but to drive. The strategy proposes Demand Responsive Transport (buses without fixed routes or timetables that pick-up passengers upon request): a great idea.
Unfortunately, it has been trialled across the country (including in Oxford) and doesn’t work.
There are recommendations for traffic calming measures and 20mph zones; however, these should only be implemented after consultation with residents affected – and most importantly, with their consent.
The Reading Transport Strategy 2040 is ambitious, comprehensive, and shows clearly that the Council is serious about Net Zero and improving our transport options.
I look forward to working with officials and the Lead Members to ensure the strategy works, local residents are genuinely consulted, and we achieve a healthier, safer and less congested Reading.
Cllr Stephen Goss is Conservative ward member for Emmer Green
