A report seeking approval from the Sub-Committee to carry out necessary statutory consultation/notice processes to progress the Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 Shinfield Road Scheme.

The Executive Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking the Sub-Committee’s approval for officers to carry out the necessary statutory consultations/notice processes to progress the Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 Shinfield Road scheme.  A copy of the Active Travel Fund Tranche 2: Shinfield Road Detailed Designs was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that approval related specifically to the installation of a new signalised pedestrian crossing near the junction with Cressingham Road and the implementation of traffic restrictions in the form of double yellow lines along the entire length of the scheme (Christchurch Green to Shinfield Rise).  The report also informed the Sub-Committee of the intention to make Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders where necessary to temporarily control vehicle or pedestrian activities throughout the construction phase of the scheme.

In November 2020 the Department for Transport had announced the award of £1.179m to Reading for the Active Travel Fund Tranche 2, this award had been on the basis of a detailed, high quality and ambitious bid that had been submitted by the Council resulting in Reading being awarded 100% of the indicative allocation available.  A two stage engagement and consultation approach had been carried out for this scheme and an initial engagement exercise had run from 24 February to 23 April 2021; 928 responses had been received from residents, businesses and organisations.  The outcome of this exercise had identified that the Shinfield Road scheme was the best supported and least opposed scheme.  A further consultation on the scheme had been carried out between 26 October and 6 December 2021 and officers were currently analysing the responses that had been received and would update the final designs accordingly.  The indicative timeline for the Tranche 2 programme was set out in the report.

The report explained that should objections be received to the scheme these would be submitted to a future meeting and if this was not the case the intention was that officers would progress the proposal to delivery.

At the invitation of the Chair, Peter Seymour, Thames Valley Regional Representative for the Motorcycling Action Group, attended the meeting and addressed the Sub-Committee in respect of the new signalised crossing.

The Sub-Committee discussed the report and Councillor Page reported that he had asked officers to arrange a meeting with representatives of the Motorcycling Action Group so that they could provide them with feedback from the recent meetings of the Cycle Forum and the Cleaner Air and Safer Transport Forum.  Councillor Page also stated that the Council was under pressure from Government so there was a need to progress the statutory elements early.

Resolved –

(1)     That the report be noted;

(2)     That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to undertake statutory consultation/notification processes for the proposed signalised pedestrian crossing designs and double yellow line restrictions on Shinfield Road in accordance with the Local Authorities Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996;

(3)     That the Strategic Transport Manager, in agreement with the Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, be able to make minor alterations to the agreed proposals;

(4)     That subject to no objections being received, the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make the Traffic Regulation Order and proposed works will commence;

(5)     That should any objection(s) be received during the statutory consultation period, that these be reported to a future meeting of the Sub-Committee for consideration and decision regarding scheme delivery;

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