WORK has begun to resurface 12 Reading roads, bringing to an end a £9 million project to improve surfaces on 467 borough highways over the past three years.
And 47 pavements have been given a makeover, with a further 11 due for some TLC before April next year.
Reading Borough Council says the work will continue, with a further £8 million investment going forward, with an aim of maintaining a higher level of improved road surfaces for the town. Work will begin in mid-February, weather permitting, with up to 39 major roads due to be resurfaced.
As part of its climate emergency plan, the council asked contractors Kiely Bros and Miles Macadam to use recycled aggregates and lower temperature bitumen, and sourcing local tarmac plants, to reduce delivery distances, and sustainable green energy options.
And Miles Macadam provided ‘tree whips’ for community volunteers to plant 350 new branches along PeppaRoad Road, as trees can be effective “carbon suckers” along roadsides.
Reading Borough Council says every tonne of carbon used is offset by two trees being planted around the borough.
So far, work has taken place on Cholmeley Road (Filey Road to London Road), De Beauvoir Road, Alexandra Road (London Road to Erleigh Road), Elmhurst Road, Francis Street (Hill Street to Sherman Road), Somerstown Court (Off Prospect Street), Halls Road.
And tomorrow they will work on Pierces Hill. On Friday, November 25, the team will switch to Oakley Road (Kidmore Road to Hemdean Road).
On Monday, November 28, Kings Road between Minster Street and Duke Street, will be the target. The following day sees a four-day project start on Norcot Road between Church End Lane to Broomfield Road. This will take place between 7pm and 1am nightly.
The final area is a two-day project on Star Road between Lower Henley Road to Gosbrook Road.
The key information for residents in these roads is:
During the works, parking will not be possible and any car left on the road will be removed and given a ticket.
Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services and community safety, said the state of the town’s roads was a recurring concern for residents, hence the commitment to repair more than 500 roads and pavements.
“It is testimony to the Council’s ability to deliver that we’ve achieved numbers in excess of that goal with a total of 467 road and 47 pavement improvements at the conclusion of that funding. It is very much a testament to our ability to keep improving that we’re continuing to propel forward with that momentum through an additional £8m investment for the future,” she said.
