At this time of year one of the things you notice as you walk around Reading is the quieter roads.
With the schools broken up and families away on their holidays, there is a dramatic drop in the amount of traffic about.
There is less congestion, less pollution and, overall, a nicer environment.
One of the Council’s priorities is for improved air quality in Reading for the benefit of residents’ health. There are various ways we to try to achieve that, including promoting cycling and walking and use of public transport.
An important element of encouraging cycling is for there to be a joined-up cycle network.
The Council is currently consulting on a scheme which will help improve connectivity for cyclists around the Bath Road and Castle Hill area.
This busy route into and out of town is not currently an easy one for cyclists to negotiate.
The plans include the introduction of dedicated on-road cycle lanes in both directions along Bath Road and Castle Hill to link with existing Bath Road cycling provision.
There would also be an improved cycle and pedestrian route around the Castle Hill – IDR roundabout, reduction in carriageway on the westbound approach to Castle Hill and a new pedestrian crossing on Coley Avenue.
You can have your say on these proposals until 25 August at:
https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/castle-hill-bath-road-active-travel-scheme.
Another consultation the Council is currently running is on the proposed installation of cycle hangars.
We are planning to run a pilot project where secure on-street cycle parking is provided for residents who do not have space at home to store a bicycle.
Residents are being invited to suggest possible locations for the cycle hangars and whether they would be interested in renting a space. (https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/cyclehangars).
Of course, buses are also an important way of getting around Reading, and travelling on them is now cheaper for families.
Under 16s can travel for free on Reading Buses and other local operators throughout August as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign.
And recently the Government announced a £2 cap on single bus fares in England from January next year.
It all helps to encourage people to consider alternatives to the car and to keep our roads permanently less congested.
Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of the Council
