ONE OF the borough’s MPs said that he is concerned about cyclists’ safety on a proposed link between Woodley and Reading.
Matt Rodda, whose East Reading constituency includes Woodley and Earley, was commenting on the consultation launched by Wokingham Borough Council last week.
It will gather opinions on a new route connecting the towns.
Residents in the town have been receiving letters inviting them to comment on a consultation over sustainable transport options that would try to make it easier for cyclists to use the roads.
It follows a questionnaire last March, when more than 600 responses were received on improving links between Woodley town centre Palmer Park.
The changes include a phase expected to start in the summer, between Woodley town centre and Bulmershe Leisure Centre.
Mr Rodda said that any cycling route should be safe enough for a 12-year-old to be able to use and feel secure on.
“I’m in favour of improving cycling and walking,” the MP said. “But some aspects of the plan need a rethink.”
Mr Rodda said he would like to see a longer consultation on the plans for Woodlands Avenue.
A stretch of the road between Howth Drive and Lytham Road would be converted to both 20mph and one-way, to allow for a cycle track to be installed on the road. Footpaths would be unaffected.
He also questioned the safety of current plans on the border of the two towns, along Culver Lane, Anderson Avenue, and towards Palmer Park.
“I’m not sure the council has got that right at all,” he said. “it seems like there would be lots of potential queues and delays.
“The plans at the moment could lead to lots of accidents.”
Cllr Shirley Boyt, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates was also concerned about this area.
She questioned whether the plans are in the best interests of cyclists and drivers, and described the route as “poorly thought out”.
Cllr Boyt also questioned how many people already cycle from Woodley to Reading, and said she had not seen a cycle count.
“I think they need to take the whole thing away and look again,” she said. “There’s lots of bits that I don’t think stack up.”
Mr Rodda said that any solution should work for cyclists and drivers, and encouraged the borough council to explore its options.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said that the council has used feedback from the first survey to develop options for the design of a travel route between Woodley and Reading.
“Residents told us they want to see segregated cycleways, and these would lead to more of them feeling safe to travel around the area on their bikes, with buggies, wheelchairs and on foot,” she said.
“This consultation will be used to make the final decisions on the route and design details.”
The project is being funded by a £576,650 grant from the government awarded in November 2020, and is part of a wide plan to improve pedestrian and cycling facilities between Woodley and Reading, and the A329 London Road and Wokingham town centre.
Other plans include making the London Road a 20mph zone, adding an off-road cycle track parallel to it, and improving connections with Thames Valley Park.
The deadline for comments is Monday, February 21.
For more information, visit: engage.wokingham.gov.uk
