Consultation on new transport plans for east Reading

Proposals to improve bus journeys and general traffic flows on a key commuter route into east Reading have been welcomed by Reading Council.

The proposals by Wokingham Borough Council include additional bus priority measures on the approach to east Reading on the Wokingham side.

On the Reading side, the Council is proposing a revision of the existing bus lane to remove a pinch point and allow a right-turn only lane into Liverpool Road.

Reading and Wokingham Borough councils have worked together on the plans which cross the boundary of the two local authority areas with the aim of improving journey times for both general traffic and buses.

The inbound London Road bus lane was introduced between the junctions of Liverpool Road and Amity Road by Reading Council in August 2024 to improve public transport reliability and journey times coming into Reading from the east.

It was part of a wider £26m programme of bus service improvements in Reading funded by central government. At the time the Reading bus lane was installed, neighbouring Wokingham Borough Council did not receive the funding that would have enabled the full scheme to be implemented.

The two councils have since worked together to improve the scheme for all road users within the government funding available.

The new proposals include:

Within Wokingham borough

• an additional inbound bus lane on the A4 London Road approaching Sutton Seeds Roundabout and the removal of the existing service road bus only access
• keeping two general traffic lanes alongside the new bus lane by narrowing the central reserve
• converting a hatched area on the roundabout to create a bus lane towards Reading
• add road markings and traffic lights, with changed configuration, to help manage and improve traffic flow

Within Reading borough

• shorten the existing bus lane to allow for the addition of a right-turn only lane opposite Liverpool Road

Cllr John Ennis, Reading's Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“When the London Road bus lane was introduced in east Reading back in 2024 the Council was very clear it would closely monitor the scheme and review any issues that arose.

“While Wokingham Borough Council was not able to secure the funding to complete the full scheme at the time, I am pleased that we have subsequently been able to work closely with colleagues in Wokingham borough on a package of measures that should improve traffic flow and journey times for both buses and general traffic. It will also benefit motorists using Liverpool Road to access areas of New Town.

“Our aim has always been to improve the reliability of public transport on what is a key commuter route into Reading and the additional bus lanes on the Wokingham side will help enable that and reduce congestion which can build up on Sutton Seeds Roundabout as traffic filters into east Reading.

“It is also important to emphasise that these proposals would be implemented without the removal of any capacity for general traffic.”

Cllr Adrian Betteridge, Wokingham Borough Council executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said:

“These improvements are designed to make everyday journeys better for everyone travelling into Reading. By giving buses dedicated space without reducing capacity for other road users, we can help cut delays where congestion often builds. We want residents, commuters and local businesses to tell us what they think, so I’d encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey.”

Wokingham Borough Council is now running a five-week informal consultation which can be found at: https://engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/we-want-your-views-on-improving-transport-on-the-a4-into-reading 

If the scheme progresses, Reading Council will hold a statutory consultation on the proposal to introduce a right-turn only lane into Liverpool Road, which is within Reading borough.