A request by neighbours for a pedestrian crossing along one of the busier roads in Reading is set to be explored.
Wokingham Road in East Reading is used by thousands of people each day as part of their regular travels, either by car, bus, cycling or walking.
Neighbours have recently asked for a pedestrian crossing to be established near the Hamilton Road bus stop heading eastbound.
The stop is located on the Old Cemetery side of Wokingham Road, which people tend to cross away from to get to their homes on the opposite side of the road.
The request has been made in a petition by Park ward Labour Party members that was signed by 180 people and supported by Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading Central.
The petition was submitted to Reading Borough Council’s traffic management sub-committee in June.
At the time, Alexa Coelias said: “The stop opposite Hamilton Road is very convenient for local residents and their visitors.
“However, the increasing volume and speed of traffic on the Wokingham Road make it very daunting to cross at this point.
“Many of our older residents, those with disabilities and families with young children, find it extremely difficult to cross the road safely.
“It may put many people off using the bus stop.”
Brian Oatway added: “If passengers have to wait several minutes before being able to cross the road safely after alighting from the bus, this becomes a big disincentive to use the bus.”
After the petition was presented, council highways officers conducted an initial investigation and devised a report.
While the highways team supports the idea of a pedestrian crossing along this stretch of Wokingham Road, no funding has currently been allocated for such a project.
The report by Jim Chen, an assistant engineer for the council’s network services, explains: “There is currently no allocated funding for the development and delivery of the pedestrian crossing requested in this petition.
“Officers acknowledge the concerns that have been raised and the requested changes appear appropriate for this location, based on the high-level review undertaken to date.”
Mr Chen has therefore recommended that a pedestrian crossing near the bus stop should be incorporated into the council’s next ‘Requests for Traffic Management Measures’ report.
The proposal will then be presented to the traffic management sub-committee to either vote for or against it.
The report is expected to be presented at the November meeting of the committee.
If it is approved, the viability of the crossing will be investigated and consulted on when funding is allocated.
Mr Chen’s report will be presented to the committee at its meeting on Thursday, September 11.
