Have your say on plans for Bath Road and Castle Hill walking and cycling improvements

PEOPLE are encouraged to have their say on proposals for better cycling and walking routes on the Bath Road and Castle Hill - including fully segregated cycle lanes - as part of the next stage of Reading’s Active Travel schemes.

The Council is looking at ways to improve cycling, walking and public transport on the Bath Road between Berkeley Avenue and Castle Hill/IDR roundabout; including the provision of safe, dedicated cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossing facilities.

The Council is now seeking further feedback specifically around the scheme’s traffic restriction measures, such as reducing an existing bus lane and removal of one lane on Castle Hill and Bath Road to accommodate a new segregated cycle lane.

This follows on from a previous consultation in July 2022, where feedback has been taken on board.

The consultation is open from today, Thursday 2 February, until 23:59 on Thursday 23 February 2023.

You can have your say online at: https://consult.reading.gov.uk/dens/active-travel-tranche-3-castle-hill-bath-road-pro/ 

For more information or alternative formats, email transport@reading.gov.uk

The current consultation details the following proposals:

• The implementation of traffic restrictions in the form of double yellow lines along Castle Hill between its junction with Russell Street with Jesse Terrace.
• Alteration to the length of the existing eastbound bus lane on Bath Road to accommodate two segregated cycle lanes.
• Removal of Tidal Flow (extra central lane) on Castle Hill to redistribute the space to provide two segregated cycle lanes at the edge of the highway.
• Changes to capacity in areas of bay parking in Permit Holders Only zones to provide extra protection to cyclists in the new segregated lane.

Find out more about this scheme on the project page and on Reading’s Active Travel programme here: www.reading.gov.uk/activetravel  and follow the link for Tranche 3 – Bath Road / Castle Hill.

Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to last year’s consultation on this scheme and the valuable feedback has helped us shape our current plans. We are now keen to gather feedback from local residents, businesses and commuters on the scheme’s traffic restriction measures. Please take the time to share your comments online before 23 February.

“It has never been more important to promote realistic alternatives to the private car, so as to tackle congestion and improve air quality for the residents and local communities who live on these key routes. As part of our wider Climate Emergency Strategy, these proposals underline the Council’s full commitment to tackling the poor air quality which we know exists in parts of Reading.

“By making these improvements we want to encourage more people towards active travel - leaving their car at home and travelling in by cycling, walking or catching the bus. Not only is this better for our environment, but it will also be better for people’s pockets – reducing their travel expenses.

“The Bath Road / Castle Hill scheme very much delivers a key ‘missing link’ which would allow cyclists to travel more safely to and from the Town Centre and across the busy IDR.”

Following this consultation, the plan will be to refine and update the designs further and work will then begin in summer 2023.

Cllr Page added: “Our investment in the Bath Road/Castle Hill area of Reading is just one part of the wider picture of increasing active travel in Reading. Our work to implement cycling and walking improvements along the Shinfield Road, from Christchurch Green to Whitley Wood Road, is well underway. We have also achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, and Sidmouth Street delivered as part of Tranche 1 funding.

“We are also working towards the creation of a bike hub in the centre of the town and we also continue to invest in free cycle courses for residents, and in supporting the creation of School Streets.”

For an overview of all the Active Travel projects in Reading in map form, visit: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1GMd2yd6lK7xb9xyn2_V5Y3wz469BJ7w&usp=sharing