Essential Road Repairs at The Forbury and Market Place Begin on May 26th

ESSENTIAL road repairs at The Forbury and in Market Place will see temporary traffic and bus diversions in place while the works take place.

Starting on Saturday May 26th, road repairs will be taking place in The Forbury, near to St Laurence’s Church, and in Market Place, near to the bus stops. To enable these works to be carried out safely it will also be necessary to close The Forbury to all traffic from the bus lane / War Memorial, in a westbound direction towards and including Market Place, from Monday May 28th onwards and for up to 10 days. In order to minimise disruption, the closure has been timed to coincide with half term week when traffic levels are lower. As with recent closures on Friar Street and Valpy Street, the Council’s Highways Team is aiming to complete the work in a shorter period of time than advertised, if weather allows. Advance Warning Notices will be put in place on surrounding roads over the coming days. All traffic - including buses - will be diverted via the locally signed diversion route. Reading Buses will have information posted at the affected bus stops, as well as on its website http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/ explaining alternative pick up and drop off points for bus passengers during the works. The signed diversion route will be via The Forbury and Forbury Road. The Council is today (May 11) also writing to local businesses to give them advance warning of the temporary closures. All footways will remain fully open as usual for pedestrians. Cyclists are advised to either follow the signed diversion route for traffic, or dismount and walk with their bikes on the footway past the road closures.

Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“As with other recent repairs to Town Centre roads, these maintenance works are necessary following the freezing temperatures, rain and snow in the first part of this year which caused significant damage to heavily used surfaces. “The work is being timed to take place in half term week when traffic levels are lower, but there will of course be a level of disruption for both road users and local businesses. While a 10 day closure is being advertised, the Council’s Highways Team will make every effort to ensure the works are completed as quickly as possible, as was the case with both Friar Street and Valpy Street. “The Council is again taking the opportunity to proactively contact utility companies so that they can use these road closures to carry out any maintenance work now in order to minimise future disruption.” Residents or local businesses who require more information should contact the Council’s Streetcare Services Team on 0118 937 3787 or at resurfacing@reading.gov.uk.