THE JUNCTION that separates Broad Street Mall from the rest of Broad Street is to be partially closed for essential repairs on Monday.
Diversions will be in place for buses running through St Mary’s Butts and on to the Oxford Road for the duration of the works, which will run from 7.30am to 4pm on weekdays. Weekend working may also be needed.
During the works at Target Junction, granite cobblestones and kerbs will be relaid using a specialist high performance bedding mortar and jointing compound. It needs to sit to achieve full strength before the road can reopen. In essence, it might look like no work is taking place, but the surface is curing.
While the traffic order allows for a closure until Sunday February 27, Reading Borough Council hopes the works can be completed quicker.
The western and northern arms of the junction – at the Oxford Road and West Street – will remain fully open to traffic for the duration of this phase of work. So buses heading from Oxford Road towards the station will be able to run as normal.
However, this half of the junction will need to be temporarily closed at a later stage in the year to fully complete the repair works.
Reading Buses has welcomed the project as it says the damaged road surface is impacting on its fleet.
Bus diversions
Short diversions for buses which usually run through St Mary’s Butts and through the Target Junction will be in place and passengers are being asked to familiarise themselves with changes in bus stop locations as follows:
Lion 4, X4 Can board and alight Friar Street FN
Park and Ride 400, Bronze 11, Ruby 10 Can board and alight Friar Street FM
Emerald 5/6/6a Can board and alight in Station Road SC
Greenwave Park and ride and 50 Can board and alight in Station Road SD
Buzz Bus 42 can board and alight at Friar Street FN
Leopard 3/8/9 can board and alight in Friar Street FN Or Station Road SA
For buses that would normally leave town centre from St Marys Butts – Jet Black 1, Lime 2, Royal Blue 33, Yellow 26 – passengers can board at CX In Cheapside/Oxford Road.
Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “Target Junction carries many hundreds of buses every day, as well as heavy goods vehicles delivering into and out of the town centre, so it is no surprise that the surface has deteriorated significantly over the years.
“Work to patch up the junction has taken place previously, but we are now at the point where it is essential that a full repair takes place in the interests of the safety of all road users.”
He added that the road closure was unavoidable and, as long as the weather was favourable, it could be completed before the weekend.
“This is one of Reading’s most important Town Centre junctions. We know this work will cause some considerable disruption over the week of February 21,” he continued.
“I would therefore urge all bus passengers, and other road users who visit the town centre, to pay attention to the temporary diversion routes which are being put in place. We thank everyone for their patience, particularly local businesses, whilst this important work takes place.”
