A report informing the Sub-Committee of initial feedback from the informal consultation relating to the six proposed bus lanes.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report informing the Sub-Committee of initial feedback from the informal consultation relating to the six proposed Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) bus lanes.  The following appendices were attached to the report:

The report explained that concept designs had been developed for six bus lanes across the Borough and had been identified as areas where bus services suffered delays as a result of traffic congestion, particularly at peak times.  Therefore, there was a need to introduce greater priority for buses on key routes to improve services for bus users and to encourage modal shift due to the environmental benefits of public transport.  The proposed bus lanes were as follows:

·         A329 Oxford Road – Outbound bus lane between Zinzan Street and George Street;

·         A329 Oxford Road – Outbound bus lane between Pangbourne Street and Norcot Junction;

·         A4 Bath Road – Outbound bus lane from Circuit Lane to Granville Road;

·         A327 Southampton Street – Inbound bus lane from Pell Street to The Oracle roundabout;

·         A4 London Road – Inbound bus lane between Sidmouth Street and London Street;

·         A4 London Road – Inbound bus lane between Liverpool Road and Cemetery Junction.

A four week informal consultation that had sought views on the initial bus lane scheme proposals had run from 19 May to 16 June 2023.  Plans and information had been available on the Council’s website for members of the public to provide their feedback and the results would be assessed and any amendments would be incorporated into detailed designs.  It was intended that the scheme design would be prioritised based on deliverability of the scheme, with the first of these designs expected to be completed later in summer 2023.  Due to limited road space in the Borough, it had been acknowledged that some of the proposals would have an impact on traffic flows and an initial analysis of the potential impact had been included in the description of each scheme.  All the proposals were initial designs and if approval was given to take the schemes forward they would be subject to detailed design work, junction modelling and road safety audits. 

At the invitation of the Chair, Asif Rasheed, Chair of the Reading Taxi Association, addressed the Sub-Committee specifically on the wording used on signage.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and asked for the results of the informal consultation to be sent to them.

Resolved –

(1)        That the report be noted;

(2)        That a Statutory Consultation on Traffic Regulation Orders relating to the proposed bus lanes be carried out.