Council announces next phase of road improvement programme

Residents are set to see yet more road improvements around Reading, with the Council announcing the next phase of resurfacing on major roads around the borough.

From Monday 24 July until Thursday 17 August, multiple sections of 12 main roads throughout Reading will be improved via a resurfacing programme. That work will then see a second phase of improvements, with a further 27 roads beginning at the end of August (following Reading Festival).

The major roads programme is the first phase of £2m within the new £8m Council investment that will also see a substantial number of residential roads improved over five years.

The Council’s commitment to improving highways – including a now completed £9m investment which saw over 500 residential roads resurfaced over the last three years – has already shown impressive results. 80% of Reading’s residential roads are now classed as in good condition, up from 35% before that work, and there has been a 44% reduction in the number of pothole reports from the public, from 970 in 2019/20 down to 543 in 2022/23.

Each section of improvement work will be carried out across two visits. The first will be to remove the old road surface (planing) which will leave a rough surface, and raise any manholes covers and ironworks, followed by a second visit to put the new surface down, leaving a smoother, finished surface, and paint the lines back on.

The sections of road being improved will see closures to ensure work can be carried out quickly and safely, and a temporary no waiting at any time order will be in place to prevent parking on the road. Residents and businesses directly affected will see advance notices put out alerting them to the work, along with on street closure notices and resident letters being posted through doors. Residents will also be provided with access on an individual basis throughout the process, and bus diversions will be in place.

Reading Borough Council’s Highways team recently won the Best Council Services Team award at the national MJ Awards. Reading was recognised for the ambitious scale and effectiveness of its road investment programme. Its working within the aims of the Council’s Climate Emergency were also lauded with the reduction in the use of carbon-rich materials and planting of trees alongside highways. The award was also given in recognition for the Council’s work to prevent road deterioration, applying low-carbon, low-cost materials to extend the life of roads rather than allowing them to deteriorate the to the point that a complete resurfacing is necessary.

Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:

“I’m delighted that we are able to announce this latest phase of road improvements, to continue the momentum and great results evidenced by our recently completed £9m programme. We’re not content just with the big improvements to residential roads as we know that our residents need and deserve better main roads too. This programme will begin those improvements.”

The list of roads to be improved during phase 1 of the major roads improvement programme is as follows: