Future Funding of Cycle Schemes
Limited funding for construction of cycle/active travel schemes has been a constant issue over the past few years. RBC does fund measures to support cycling, such as adult cycle training, cycle security/parking enhancements etc, and has included improvements for cyclists as part of roads resurfacing and bridge replacement projects
However, there has been no funding to progress smaller cycle improvement schemes, such as town centre signing, making traffic calming cycle-friendly, widening paths through parks, and missing links, etc.
Funding for new cycle schemes has been provided through Government Active Travel Fund (ATF) grants, which have been linked to specific major schemes only. The good news is this has all changed as part of the latest round of ATF grants which was announced last December.
The funding now includes both capital funding to construct new walking, wheeling and cycle schemes (no longer tied to a specific scheme) as well as revenue funding for network planning, scheme development, community engagement, etc.
RBC has been awarded £575,563 capital funding and £180,587 revenue funding per year for the next four years. RBC is presently looking at how this funding can be applied, which is likely to be linked to feedback from the Task and Finish Group, which was set up to review progress with the Council’s Active Travel schemes.
In the meantime, we have submitted a wide-ranging list of cycle schemes to RBC, based on previous suggestions from members.
Bath Road and Castle Hill – Active Travel Tranche 3
As we reported in the last newsletter, this scheme is funded through the Government’s Active Travel Fund and has been subject to a design review following consideration by Active Travel England inspectors.
We understand that revised designs have been developed, which will be considered by Councillors before discussing these options with ourselves and then going to wider public consultation.
Palmer Park to Woodley Cycle Scheme
Construction of the new cycle route between Palmer Park and Woodley town centre began in February, with works to provide an off-road cycle path on Woodlands Avenue, Woodley.
We don’t have a date yet for the works planned at the Reading end of the scheme, which include a parallel cycle/zebra crossing on Palmer Park Avenue and the footway under the bridges on Palmer Park Avenue/Culver Lane widened to provide an off-road cycle path.
Cycle Hangars
Although we noted in the last newsletter that RBC have confirmed funding for four cycle hangars as part of the pilot project, there hasn’t been any further progress.
Whilst we identified several suitable areas, including suggestions from members, there have been difficulties for the Council to find practical on-street locations.
We have suggested researching the installation guidelines and best practices that other Councils have adopted and simply copy them, rather than trying to come up with something new.
Bus Lane Schemes
RBC have an on-going Government-funded project to introduce six bus lanes to improve bus reliability where buses are presently delayed in heavy traffic. Modifications are proposed to the bus lane on the A4 London Road in the vicinity of the junction with Liverpool Road.
Also, a new bus lane is proposed on the A4 London Road between Redlands Road and Sidmouth Street, which will likely involve changes to the Sidmouth Street cycle Lane. Both schemes will go to public consultation shortly.
We haven’t seen any plans as yet but will report back on how these will impact cyclists.
Station Subway and North Side of Reading Station
Back in August 2024, we celebrated the station subway being opened to cyclists. It provides an attractive and safe route away from heavily trafficked roads around the station.
We noted then that power cables to the coffee vans on the north side of the station had a temporary raised cover over them, affecting cyclists and walkers alike, but were assured that the cables were to be placed underground shortly.
Eighteen months later, it’s still disappointing to note there has been no further progress on this. We will continue to raise this with RBC.
Future Meetings
We have regular informal meetings with RBC officers to discuss progress on the various schemes and initiatives which are on-going. If there are any suggestions or issues from members, we would be happy to raise them at these meetings.
The next public meeting is the Clean Air and Sustainable Transport forum (CAST) on 31 March. Future meetings, including the Cycle Forum, have yet to be arranged for the new municipal year.
Tony Carr
RBC Campaigner for RCC
