The latest Active Travel Funding settlement has provided Reading Borough Council with a budget to deliver a number of ‘quick win’ improvements to cycling infrastructure across the town.
In response, we have updated our list of suggested improvements to reflect the latest discussions we held with cyclists at Waterfest. These proposals focus on practical, cost-effective measures that can be delivered quickly and that will improve safety, connectivity and accessibility for people cycling in Reading.
We intend to present these proposals to Reading Borough Council for consideration:
- Surface painted signs/markings/cycle logos on existing routes to emphasise continuity eg Reading station subway
- Repaint/update existing and faded cycle markings eg Oxford Road between Norcot roundabout and Tilehurst Station and Berkeley Avenue
- Protected right turns for cyclists eg Oxford Road/Salisbury Road
- Town centre signing to designate where cycling is allowed/not allowed
- Signing for CUK routes through Reading including links to station
- Cycle workstations with pumps/tools in parks and on leisure routes
- Removal of barriers, bollards and pinch-points on existing routes eg removing recycling bins on Kennetside, Yield Hall Place barrier, barrier on Smallmead Road adjacent to A33
- Improved cycle detection at traffic signals or separate push buttons where loop detectors are problematical
- Low level cycle signals at traffic signals to improve visibility of traffic signals for cyclists
- Reduced wait times for cyclists at traffic signal controlled crossings to improve safety and cyclist observance of signals
- Installation of permanent cycle monitoring sites to identify cyclist numbers and identify trends
- Widening paths through parks eg Gosbrook Rd to Christchurch Bridge, Palmer Park to link to new WBC Woodley scheme
- Continuous cycle routes around parks to encourage family and leisure riding
- Lighting on routes away from roads to enhance personal security
- Flush kerbs suitable for all cycles with effective drainage at all crossings and where cycle routes transition from on-road to off-carriageway
- Improved crossings where shared-use paths cross sideroad junctions eg Portman Road, Richfield Avenue, London Road
- Replacement of signal controlled crossing at Queens Rd/Watlington St with parallel zebra/cycle crossing
- New path from Thames Promenade to Richfield Avenue via Rivermead Centre and River Academy
- Shared-use path on south side of Portman Rd extended to Thornton Mews and further westward
- New parallel zebra/cycle crossing across Portman Road adjacent to junction with Beresford Road
- Broad Street West – allow cycling outside main shopping hours
- Butter Market, Market Place, Cross Street – allow two-way cycling
- Identification of missing links on existing routes and development of plans to infill gaps in the cycle network
- Introduction of contra-flow cycling on lightly trafficked residential streets, such as Kennetside (between Watlington Street and Sidmouth Street North) and St John’s Road
What do you think? Any we should add to the list?
