A report informing the Sub-Committee of the current status of major transport and highways projects in Reading.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing the Sub-Committee with an update on the current major transport and highways projects in Reading namely:

Cow Lane Bridges

Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Deal Schemes

And the following unfunded schemes:

Reading West Station

Tilehurst Station

Third Thames Bridge

The report stated that work on the final phase of the NCN 422 programme was currently being finalised and was expected to be reported to the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 21 November 2018.  The proposed scheme built on works that had been delivered as part of the LSTF programme by extending shared use facilities along Wokingham Road from Cemetery Junction to the Three Tuns.  Measure included improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities, junction treatments, signing and footway widening, including proposed changes to the existing pedestrian crossing on Wokingham Road to the east of St Bartholomews Road.  NCN 422 Phase 3 Drawings were attached to the report at Appendix A.

The report also explained that the Council had nominated Tilehurst Station for consideration for funding from the Access for All programme, with the objective of providing lifts at the station.  No local funding had been committed as part of this process.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and it was suggested that in respect of NCN 422 there would potentially be an issue caused by cars filtering right onto Crescent Road just after Grange Avenue on the Wokingham Road, as there would be no room for vehicles heading towards Wokingham to pass those filtering right without entering the cycle route, thus increasing congestion in this area where, at peak times, congestion was already an issue.  The Sub-Committee agreed that officers should investigate the potential issue.

Resolved -

(1)     That the progress on delivery of the programme of major transport schemes as set out within the report be noted;

(2)     That the Head of Legal Services be authorised to carry out the Statutory Notice procedures for the intention to make alterations to existing traffic calming features along Wokingham Road as part of the NCN 422 scheme, as set out in Appendix A attached to the report and in accordance with Section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, subject to the Statutory Notices only being undertaken if scheme and spend approval was granted by the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee on 21 November 2018;

(3)     That the potential issue of increased congestion between Grange Avenue and Crescent Road, around the right filter onto Crescent Road, as a result of the extension of NCN 422 be investigated by officers;

(4)     That the nomination of Reading West Station and Tilehurst Station for consideration as part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme, and that no local funding contribution had been committed as part of this process be noted, and if successful, a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee to seek scheme and spend approval.