Council outlines transport programme following funding announcement

Transport priorities for Reading over the next four years will be set out by the Council after receiving confirmation of government funding for 2026-30.

Reading has been awarded a transport capital grant of £33,667,100 over four years and revenue grant of £4,883,100 over three years.

The funding will enable the start of new projects, such as changes to the Sidmouth Street highway layout, as well as progressing schemes which are currently under way.

These include the continued delivery of bus priority measures; enhanced bus services including the Buzz 9 and 18 routes; new electric buses; improved passenger facilities at Mereoak Park and Ride site; delivery of the Bath Road/Castle Hill active travel scheme and the provision of a comprehensive programme of active travel initiatives to further encourage more cycling and walking.

The projects are outlined in the Council’s new Local Transport Delivery Plan which will be submitted to the Department for Transport to confirm how the funding will be spent. It will initially be presented to members of the Council’s Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport committee next week (https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=139&MId=5782).

The transport delivery plan also includes achievements in Reading in recent years on which the Council will be building.

These include completion of the fifth phase of the South Reading Bus Rapid Transit scheme; opening of Reading Green Park station; redevelopment of Reading West station; Reading All-Bus multi-operator ticket scheme and a package of bus service improvements.

The Council has also successfully delivered an on-going major programme of highways resurfacing, traffic management, road safety, parking and streetlight maintenance schemes to improve travel facilities for everyone.

The Council’s focus on promoting sustainable travel has contributed to Reading having the third highest bus use per head of population in England outside of London and continued growth in use of the town’s railway stations – including a 43% increase in passenger numbers at Reading West station following a £5m redevelopment in 2024.

Levels of active travel are also increasing with 55,000 walking trips and 11,000 cycle trips taking place every day to and from Reading town centre.

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

“I welcome the new finance arrangements from government which provide longer-term certainty and more flexibility for the Council to decide how best to use the funding.

“The Council has successfully delivered major transport schemes and initiatives in recent years to improve travel options for residents with a focus on sustainable transport choices.

“This has helped Reading achieve some of the highest levels of sustainable travel in the country, with consistent increases in bus and train use as well as cycling.

“We have also seen record levels of investment into resurfacing Reading’s major and residential roads.

“We are now looking to build on these achievements with a comprehensive programme of ambitious projects to take forward in the coming years.”