RBC Autumn Report 2023

There has been no Cycle Forum in the last few months but below are a few updates:

Traffic Management Sub Committee (TMSC)

I missed the last meeting, which did not appear to have much relevance to cycling matters.

Cleaner Air and Safer Transport (CAST) 4 July

Again, the meeting attendance was low, with short notice being given.  RBC gave an interesting Air Quality presentation with Q&As.

There was no reported action by RBC following the previous meeting’s presentation that I made on ‘Crossings for Pedestrians and Cyclists’. The points raised and awaiting responses and actions from RBC are:

• All RBC Committee reports to have crossings considered within a Sustainable Transport section.
• Reading Developers guidance to be reviewed and made more pedestrian friendly.
• Dropped kerbs should be added where needed.
• Raised tables with sinusoidal or shallow ramps to be the recom-mended road hump and used more widely, such as at most road junctions.
• Zebra and other controlled crossings should be located where needed.
• Pedestrian delays at signals should be minimised.
• All-green pedestrian stages (all traffic stopped with red lights) at traffic signal junctions should be trialled.

Shinfield Road Active Travel Scheme Tranche 2

Siteworks are still in progress and are supposed to finish this summer. Most of the detailed design work is apparently complete. Despite reminders and promises RBC has yet to provide us with the statutory signing proposals. Works are progressing slowly and without signing and full marking being added, which is adding to some confusion and dissatisfaction from users.

Redlands Road Area Traffic Calming

Despite RBC’s agreement to make some improvements there has been no action that we are aware of.

Cycle Hub

RBC has signed an agreement for the lease of premises for the Cycle Hub in West Street; you can read more about this here.

Town Centre Signing and Routes

RBC has said that it has agreed to the provision of many of the missing and wrong signs that we have been campaigning about for many years. Maybe by the time of this newsletter they will be fixed!

Trouble with Humps?

The speed cushion humps in Oakley Road have now been modified to the correct profiles. Many other speed cushions appear to be steeper than the LTN 1/07 regulations allow, which is a 1:8 front gradient.

With a recommended 3 inches high hump (maximum height is 4 inches), the ramp would be 24-32 inches long. The ramp should be approximately the length of the white triangle. Steeper gradients damage motor vehicles as can be seen from the photo above, but for cyclists the discomfort and danger are our main concerns. 

Check the humps that affect you and report them on FixMyStreet if they are too steep or otherwise problematic.

John Lee
RBC Campaigner for RCC