A report on traffic management measures associated with the development at Reading Cold Store, Deacon Way, and seeking approval to carry out statutory consultation on the alteration of waiting restrictions within the new vehicular access into the proposed industrial units situated on Deacon Way.

The Executive Director for Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on traffic management measures associated with the development at Reading Cold Store, Deacon Way, and sought approval to carry out a statutory consultation on the alteration or waiting restrictions within the new vehicular access into the proposed industrial units situated on Deacon Way.  An illustration of the proposal was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and a drawing of the existing waiting restriction layout was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that planning permission had been granted on 6 April 2023 for a front and side extension on the ground and first floor of the building on Deacon Way, following the partial demolition of the building, the replacement of external materials, reconfiguration of internal layouts and relocation of vehicular access.  Commencement of the development was subject to the positive outcome of the statutory consultation as the changes were fundamentally to the proposed access arrangement as without them access would not be possible for larger delivery vehicles because of the current on street parking arrangement.  The proposal consisted of redistributing the existing single and double yellow line waiting restrictions on both sides of Deacon Way in the vicinity of the site; the current restrictions were detailed in the report and were set out in Appendix 2.  The current restrictions allowed for up to nine cars to park on carriageway with these spaces provided directly opposite one another along Deacon Way therefore reducing the carriageway to single line traffic.

The new access would be located central to the site as well as the current areas of parking along Deacon Way therefore necessitating the required changes.  This was detailed in the report and set out in the drawing attached at Appendix 2.  The proposed alterations did result in a reduction of three on street parking spaces, however, this was mitigated by the provision of seven on-site parking bays whereby the former Reading Cold Store site had provided none.  Overall, the scheme would present a benefit to the wider area by reducing the demand for on street parking and as such created an additional space on street.  In addition, the staggered arrangement of the proposed parking areas provided for a better flow of vehicles along Deacon Way by ensuring greater length of carriageway that could allow for two vehicles to pass one another. 

Resolved –

(1)        That the report be noted;

(2)        That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be granted authority to undertake a statutory consultation in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996, for the proposals contained within in Appendix 1, attached to the report;

(3)        That subject to no objections being received, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be granted authority to make the Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed scheme;

(4)        That any objection(s) received following the statutory advertisement be submitted to a future meeting;

(5)        That the Head of Transport (or appropriate Officer) in consultation with the appropriate Lead Councillor, be granted authority to make minor changes to the proposals;

(6)        That no public inquiry be held into the proposals.