The Traffic Management Sub-Committee (TMSC) on 14 June had a number of items of interest to cyclists. There was also a Cycle Forum Meeting on 12 July. The new chair for these meetings is Cllr Debs Absolom, who does cycle and appears to be taking an interest in cycling issues.
TMSC 14 June
Cycling Strategy and Implementation Plan
Not much new here, but a confirmation of Town Centre signing improvements, NCN422, cycle training, EMPOWER and ReadyBike.
Thames Path consultations
Agreement to proceed with Cycle Track Act orders subject to the necessary approval of the Secretary of State for Planning.
Bi-Annual Waiting Restriction Review
This covered proposals for yellow lines in many locations, including the Henley Road, where RCC had raised the issue of parked cars in the cycle lanes. Public consultation will soon take place on the proposals.
Vastern Road roundabout by Reading Bridge
Pedestrian crossing consideration. But as we now know, it is the worst cycle collision location in Reading! (See Cycle Forum).
Requests for new traffic management measures
It is intended that councillors and members of the public and organisations, including RCC, will be able to request traffic management measures in future. Something that we will have to seriously consider and prepare appropriate information for reports to the TMSC!
Cycle Forum 12 July
EMPOWER
This EU funded local project to encourage cycling is progressing and has received some good local publicity.
Town Centre signing
There seems to be little progress to date in the signing corrections and improvements that were promised by RBC, and RCC and others requested action.
NCN 422
Work is well under way with Phase 1 from the western borough boundary by New Lane Hill to Berkeley Avenue being virtually completed; feedback welcome.
The proposed route alignment for the central section is to be via Berkeley Avenue, The Oracle, Kennetside and Watlington Street. A route along the Bath Road from Berkeley Avenue into the town centre could be an alternative route when funding allows. Apparently revised consultation plans should be available in late July.
The Phase 3 east of the Royal Berkshire Hospital is proposed to be via Erleigh Road then Eastern Avenue and Whiteknights Road, but the option of London Road and Wokingham Road has not been discounted. Again RBC will be consulting on this later this year, with RCC likely to be invited to meet to discuss the proposals.
Cow Lane bridge
The roadworks should start soon after the Reading Festival. The Oxford Road study will then be reconsidered when the bridge is open and new traffic patterns established.
Vastern Road roundabout by Reading Bridge
It had been noted that www.crashmap.co.uk showed that this new junction is now the worst for cyclists in Reading. Details of the seven individual collisions during 2015-2016 were requested, and for the subject to be brought back to the next Forum.
RCC had strongly objected to the layout of the roundabout, saying that it ignored the principles for considering cyclists at roundabouts, and had requested changes.
John Lee
RBC Campaigner for RCC
