A report informing the Sub-Committee of the feedback received from the statutory consultation process associated with the traffic regulation order and to make recommendations on whether these measures should be implemented.

The Sub-Committee received a report informing them of the feedback that had been received from the statutory consultation process associated with the amendments required to the traffic regulation order to incorporate the new sections of the bus lane that had been implemented on the A33, and made recommendations on whether these changes should be implemented.  The Consultation Results were attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the statutory consultation process had taken place between 26 September and 16 October 2025.  A summary of the results was set out in a table in the report.  In total four responses had been received, with three objections, summarised as follows:

·       The effectiveness and use of bus lanes, with some residents observing that buses did not consistently use the designated lanes;

·       Suggestion that the funding should be directed towards repairing and improving existing roads rather than developing new bus rapid transit (BRT) infrastructure;

·       Concern that prioritising buses over cars could negatively impact local business and deter people from commuting into Reading, suggesting that the Council’s approach might be unfavourable to car drivers.

Responding to these concerns officers noted that:

·       On occasions buses would exit the bus lanes when they needed to be in a turning lane, however in the most part these bus lanes were used frequently;

·       The funding associated with the delivery of this phase of the A33 BRT had been provided by the Department for Transport (DfT) to support the delivery of the Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan and was ring fenced by DfT for this purpose;

·       The aim of the Council’s Local Transport Plan was to deliver a sustainable transport system in Reading, which would create an attractive green and vibrant town which promoted healthy choices and wellbeing.  The provision of public transport improvements such as this supported this objective and no general traffic capacity had been removed and the bus lane had been created by maximising the existing highway space.

The report stated that although noting the objections that had been received to the statutory consultation, on the basis of the benefits that would be delivered by the bus lane, and its contribution to the wider strategic aims of the Council, through the Council Plan and Reading Transport Strategy, it was proposed that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) should be approved.

Resolved –

(1)           That the report and the consultation feedback set out in Appendix 1 be noted;

(2)           That the Officer recommendations, as set out in the report, be agreed, and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services given authority to make the Traffic Regulation Order;

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