A major overhaul of road rules will see 20mph speed limits introduced to residential streets in Reading.
Pushes for 20mph speed limits have been gathering pace since the pandemic throughout Great Britain, with a default 20mph limit introduced on restricted roads in Wales in September 2023.
In Reading itself, 20mph limits have recently been enacted in Northcourt Avenue and Wellington Avenue, which came into force earlier this year, and the Southcote Road area in December 2020.
Yet more roads in the town are due to have reduced speeds in the area surrounding Oxford Road if proposed changes are brought forward.
The reductions to the speed limits for residential roads were requested in a petition to Reading Borough Council back in 2021.
The petition followed a survey by Labour councillors in Battle, Norcot and Kentwood wards.
Of the 219 people who responded, 80 per cent supported reducing the residential speed limits from 30mph to 20mph.
At the time, Jo Lovelock, a Labour councillor for Norcot, said: “I think that is an overwhelming desire to see something done.
“Most of us have received complaints about people speeding.
“We look forward to helping to make these streets in our wards safer places for everybody.”
Now five years on, the council is set to move forward with a consultation on the reductions.
The 20mph speed limits are proposed for eight roads. Details of the enforcement measures are below:
Beresford Road: New speed humps, alongside retained existing speed humps or raised tables where shown.
Amblecote Road: New speed cushions, 20mph road roundels and a 20mph-zone entry sign.
Water Road: New speed cushions, 20mph roundels, and 20mph-zone signs. The design also includes improved or new uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, tactile paving and junction remarking to improve visibility.
Windrush Way: New speed cushions, 20mph roundels and 20mph-zone signing are proposed on the Water Road scheme drawing covering this area.
Colliers Way: New speed cushions, a 20mph road roundel and a 20mph-zone sign.
Grovelands Road: A Grovelands Road roundabout option proposes physical layout changes rather than a labelled speed-hump treatment, with designs for two new uncontrolled crossings, an island to protect parked vehicles, infill works, and alterations connected with parking and bus-stop relocation.
Brisbane Road: Included in the Grovelands Road roundabout option drawing, where the proposed junction-area measures include new uncontrolled crossings, an island protecting parked vehicles, infill works, and parking and bus-stop changes.
Waverley Road: Also included in the Grovelands Road roundabout option, the physical measures shown are the junction-area crossings, protective island and associated layout changes rather than a separately labelled speed-hump or cushion feature.
The council’s traffic management subcommittee has been asked to approve statutory consultations into these measures.
A decision is set to be made when it meets on Thursday, September 10.
