READING Borough Council looks set to go ahead with six new bus lanes aimed at speeding up public transport as proposals have been recommended.
In November, the council launched its consultation on the proposals as part of a £26 million investment in the bus services, through which the council aims to attract more passengers to public transport.
Now the plans have been recommended for approval, they are set to be considered by the Traffic Management sub-committee next Thursday, January 11.
Proposals were first put to the public during an informal consultation in the summer, where residents’ feedback was considered ahead of formal consultation.
They would see further bus lanes established on Oxford Road, with one running outbound between Zinzan Street and George Street, and one outbound between Pangbourne Street and Norcot Junction.
London Road would also see two new bus lanes, with plans for an inbound bus lane between Sidmouth Street and London Street and an inbound lane between Liverpool Road and Cemetery Junction.
Southampton Street would also see a new bus lane established inbound between Pell Street and The Oracle Roundabout.
Following a number of responses regarding motorcycles, the council has laid out proposals to create an experimental Traffic Regulation Order to allow motorcylces to use the planned lanes.
This order will be subject to review at a later stage.
The council hopes that the plans will be another step in their efforts to improve reliability, speed, and frequency of bus services.
It is part of a wider initiative to encourage more use of public transport and meet the town’s net-zero by 2030 target.
This in turn reduces congestion, carbon emissions, and resulting health issues for residents.
Cllr John Ennis, lead councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The proposals for six new bus lanes are part of a much bigger picture to cut congestion and improve the environment and health and wellbeing of Reading residents.
“We know that transport accounts for about 20% of all carbon emissions in Reading–we also know poor air quality is directly related to diseases such as cancer, asthma, heart disease and diabetes and can impact our most vulnerable residents.
He added: “Reading already has a popular and well used bus network and it will become even more attractive to people if buses can avoid congestion and run even more reliably, faster and more frequently.
“Everybody knows there is limited road space in Reading and some of the proposed changes will impact on traffic flows in the short term, but this has been taken into consideration in the design of the new lanes and measures will be taken to mitigate this where possible.”
“Without taking action now and investing significantly in public transport, car usage will continue to grow and lead to greater levels of congestion and poor health in our town.”
