AT LEAST 17 sections of main road are to be resurfaced in Reading in a new programme of carriageway improvements due to start next week.
The programme follows the council’s biggest ever investment in road maintenance in Reading, which has taken place over the last six years.
The schedule of works taking place over the next five weeks will include the resurfacing of sections of Friar Street, Bath Road, Henley Road and George Street in Caversham.
Since 2021 the Council has invested in a £9m and further £8m programme of improvements to major and residential roads.
Councillors say this has resulted in a 39% reduction in pothole reports from the public and the number of residential roads in good condition in Reading has increased from 35% to 79%.
Satisfaction rating among residents has also reportedly increased to 45%, against a national average of 35%; Reading was found to be above the national average for road condition and dealing with road repairs in the National Highways & Transport Residents Satisfaction Survey last year.
The latest programme of works is funded by a £2.9m government grant for 2026/27 and £1.1m Council investment to cover carriageway maintenance, pothole reduction and bridge maintenance.
Work will include carriageway planing and resurfacing, gully cleaning and jetting and the repainting of road markings.
Road closures and parking restrictions will be necessary to allow the work to be carried out safely and efficiently but access to directly affected residents and businesses will be provided whenever it is safe to do so.
Advance signage will be placed on the roads affected and signed diversion routes will be in place during the closures
The resurfacing contract is being delivered by O’Hara Bros. Surfacing Ltd and the roads in the programme have been selected following surveys to check the structural integrity of existing carriageways and skidding resistance.
Work will include carriageway planing and resurfacing, gully cleaning and jetting and the repainting of road markings.
Road closures and parking restrictions will be necessary to allow the work to be carried out safely and efficiently but access to directly affected residents and businesses will be provided whenever it is safe to do so.
Advance signage will be placed on the roads affected and signed diversion routes will be in place during the closures
The resurfacing contract is being delivered by O’Hara Bros. Surfacing Ltd and the roads in the programme have been selected following surveys to check the structural integrity of existing carriageways and skidding resistance.
Cllr Finn McGoldrick, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said: “This year’s major road resurfacing programme will provide smoother journeys for thousands of motorists, cyclists and bus passengers alike.
“The Council has heavily invested in highways maintenance which has resulted in a significant reduction in pothole reports from the public, improved satisfaction ratings from residents and put Reading above the national average for road condition and in dealing with road repairs.
“This package of works will keep that momentum going.
“We recognise there will inevitably be some disruption while the works are taking place and we would like to thank road users, residents and businesses for their cooperation and patience in advance.”
Full details of scheduled works, including regular progress updates are available via: reading.gov.uk/vehicles-roads-and-transport
