Yellow lines that ban parking could be painted along a major road in Reading to enable cycle lanes to be installed there in the future.
Reading Borough Council has been seeking to make cycling journeys safer along the A4 Bath Road and Castle Hill, and received a total of £2.3 million from the previous Conservative government to that end.
The council’s proposals include changes to the road network to create a cycle route with a series of different measures along the road.
The council has therefore proposed changes to two stretches of Bath Road to enable safer cycling.
The stretch of Castle Hill between Russell Street and Jesse Terrace currently contains two permit holder only parking bays for residents providing space for approximately six to seven cars in total.
A change would see these bays replaced with double yellow lines banning parking ahead of a route being created.
The council has also proposed the reduction of the bus lane approaching Haden Square and the Bath Road water tower for the future implementation of a segregated cycle track.
These changes were discussed at a meeting of the council’s traffic management sub-committee.
John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, pointed to a formal consultation in July and August that saw 55.3 per cent of the more than 100 respondents either supporting or strongly supporting the changes.
He also cast the measures as vital for reducing the town’s carbon footprint.
Cllr Ennis (Labour, Southcote) said: “Wow! Maybe Reading is starting to see what’s going on with our climate.
“When I came in as lead for climate strategy [2023], we had our hottest summer [2022], the driest autumn, then we had the wettest winter, and we’ve just gone through the hottest summer.
“This is going to be the best summer we are going to enjoy, because we are going to touch 40C either next year or the year after.
“This going to be the norm, it’s going to hit our productivity, our health, people will die, people will struggle, fact!
“Climate change is here, whether we like it or not.”
Also in the consultation, 54.3 per cent of respondents support the proposal to reallocate road space away motor vehicles for better
pedestrian and cycle facilities.
Cllr Ennis then stated shifting road space to cyclists is an integral part of the borough’s strategy to reduce climate change.
He said: “We have no choice but to look at active travel.”
Cllr Mohammed Ayub (Labour, Abbey), who represents the area, said: “I think this is very good, and the residents mostly welcome it.”
Cllr Richard Walkem (Green, Coley) said: “I’m fully in favour of this scheme, we need safe transport down Bath Road for cycles, it isn’t at the moment, so it would be good when it is, and also look forward like cycle routes being developed in Reading, particularly those going around Reading rather than directly to the centre as well.”
Additionally, cllr Meri O’Connell (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst), said: “Where you provide the facilities, people use them.
“It may take a little while before people fully trust it, but where you provide safe spaces people move into those safe spaces.”
The committee unanimously voted to send the proposed changes to a statutory consultation at the meeting on September 10.
