A report informing the Sub-Committee of objections and other feedback received during the statutory consultation regarding the implementation of traffic restrictions in the form of a speed reduction between the Berkeley Avenue overbridge and 29 Rose Kiln Lane in both directions to 30 mph.

Further to Minute 5 of the meeting held on 14 June 2023, the Sub-Committee received a report informing them of objections and other feedback that had been received during the statutory consultation regarding the implementation of traffic restrictions in the form of a speed reduction between the Berkeley Avenue overbridge and 29 Rose Kiln Lane in both directions to 30mph.  During the consultation process officers had also consulted on reducing the speed limit on Rose Kiln Lane North, between Matalan Junction and Berkeley Avenue.  A copy of the results from the consultation were attached to the report at Appendix 1 and a location drawing for the proposed A33 speed reduction was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that the speed limit reduction on the A33 was necessary to enable the introduction of inbound and outbound bus stops, that would provide much needed transport links for employees and customers to the various commercial premises in the area.  It should also be noted that in order to protect the existing capacity, the lane widths would be reduced in places and so a speed limit reduction was required to maintain safe vehicle movements, including those left turns to commercial premises, which had been identified as an existing issue during the Road Safety Audit.  This new section of Bus Rapid Transit supported and connected to the existing dedicated public transport priority measures on the A33 corridor, linking the town centre to Green Park, Mereoak park and ride and in the longer term the proposed Grazeley Garden Settlement and Four Valleys developments.  The scheme was currently provided for buses but, in future could be used by guided buses, trams or driverless public transport vehicles. 

This phase of the scheme was being delivered using BSIP funding and would provide key sections of the overall scheme by joining up previous sections of the BRT to provide continuous bus priority and would tackle a key pinch point of the overall scheme over the River Kennet. These phases were therefore a vital element within the Borough as part of this overall approach and would complement further aspirations for enhancements to the BRT route within Reading and future aspirations for enhancements at the Mereoak Park and Ride site.  Delivering this phase of the South Reading BRT would help deliver against the Local Plan and Draft Transport Strategy and would be key to increasing capacity of the network to deliver the journeys that would support the economy and levels of proposed growth and would contribute to wider regional public transport ambitions. 

The report explained that a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order that would reduce the speed limit had been drafted and was due to be implemented prior to commencement of construction in autumn 2023.  A statutory consultation had been carried out between 14 March and 5 April 2024 and a total of 18 responses had been received, of which 12 had been objections and six had been in support.  A review of the objections had identified some common themes, mainly concern that the reduced speed limit would have a detrimental impact on traffic flow and congestion.  However, research had suggested that reducing speed limits had a negligible impact on journey times, given that overall journey times were largely dictated by junction delays and not vehicle speeds. 

Officers had also taken the opportunity to consult on a similar speed limit reduction on Rose Kiln Lane North, between the Matalan junction and Berkeley Avenue.  Whilst this measure was not required for the delivery of the A33 bus lane scheme, it had been proposed to improve safety and to maintain consistency with the proposed A33 speed reduction.  This would have the benefit of improving safety and reducing potential conflicts resulting from the new access/exit from Starbucks.  A total of 18 responses had been received, of which 11 had been objections and seven had been in support.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and concern was raised over the variance of speed restrictions along the A33 implementation of this scheme would cause and the issues with enforcement.  In response officers confirmed that the section of the road would be under continuous review and that officers would look at how future improvements could be made.

Resolved –

(1)       That the report be noted;

(2)       That the implementation of the proposed measures on the A33 be approved;

(3)       That the implementation of the proposed measures on Rose Kiln Lane North between the Matalan Junction and Berkeley Avenue be approved;

(4)       That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the Traffic Regulation Orders and no public inquiry be held into the proposal.