Work due to begin in October on cycling and walking improvements on Shinfield Road
- Work due to commence in early October
- No waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) to commence from 3 October 2022
READING COUNCIL’S plans to improve cycling and walking along the Shinfield Road will see work start in the area next month (October 2022).
Work on the Shinfield Road will commence from 3 October 2022. This will see the delivery of a new cycle route along Shinfield Road – between Christchurch Green and Shinfield Rise and will link south Reading and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the University of Reading, local centres and Reading Town Centre. It links with existing new cycle routes delivered by the Council on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road in the first stage of its Active Travel programme.
The improvements also include the provision of no waiting restrictions (double yellow lines) on Shinfield Road along the route, which should address the parking issues being experienced particularly near the University.
New advanced stop lines and early release for cyclists will be provided to improve safety. A number of new and improved crossings for pedestrians are also a key element of the scheme.
In order to minimise disruption and improve the delivery of the scheme, it will be constructed in phases starting at the Christchurch Green end at the junction with Elmhurst Road and Redlands Road and working out of the borough down to Shinfield Rise.
The first phase of works, starting this autumn, will be split into three sections:
- Chancellor’s Way junction to Pepper Lane
- Junction of Queens Drive to Chancellor’s Way
- Christchurch Road to Queens Drive.
During the works pedestrian routes will be maintained at all times, either via a diversion of the existing pathway around the construction works or with crossings to an alternative footpath on the other side of the highway.
The Council will also work closely with residents and local businesses to minimise any disruption. For information on the scheme visit the Council’s website at:
www.reading.gov.uk/ATF2ShinfieldRd
or for specific questions or requirements by email to: transport@reading.gov.uk
Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “I’m delighted we are now in a position to announce a start date for the Council’s work to introduce a fully segregated new cycle lane along the Shinfield Road. This was the clear choice of nearly 1,000 respondents to our initial consultation in early 2021.
“The proposed two-way cycle lane will link to key centres of employment in Reading, such as the Royal Berkshire Hospital, The University and, of course, the Town Centre itself.
“As part of our wider Climate Emergency Strategy, this work underlines the Council’s wholehearted commitment to tackling poor air quality which we know exists in parts of Reading.
“It has never been more important to create realistic alternatives to the private car, not only in terms of tackling congestion and air quality but also for the residents and local communities who live on key routes.
“This excellent news comes in the wake of our plans to implement further cycling and walking improvements stretching from Berkeley Avenue along the Bath Road to Castle Hill, then running over the IDR to Castle Street, as well as our recent decision to make permanent the fully segregated cycle lane along Sidmouth Street.
"We have also achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, delivered as part of the first phase of funding.”
View Reading’s Active Travel map here for an overview of all the schemes across the borough: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1GMd2yd6lK7xb9xyn2_V5Y3wz469BJ7w&usp=sharing
Ends
Notes to editors
The Council’s segregated cycle lane proposals were developed in the context of uncertainty regarding changes to traffic flows and unknown future travel demand post Covid19. Over the past 2 years, the pandemic has changed people’s travel options, with more flexible working arrangements now the norm. Changes in travel behaviour and attitudes towards cycling, walking and public transport may reduce commuter car use in the longer term. It is possible that peak hour traffic will not return to previous levels, even if a level of normality returns.
In 2020, the Council successfully secured £1.179m from the Department for Transport for further investment in sustainable travel options for Reading, as part of ‘Tranche 2’ of the national Active Travel Fund. The investment aims to improve cycling, walking and public transport in the local area, including safe, dedicated cycle lanes, new crossings and wider footways. The latest funding would allow for key ‘missing link’ cycle lanes in the town to be created, which would be fully segregated from traffic.