The West Berkshire Cycle Forum met on Tuesday 16 July. The next meeting is on Tuesday 15 October. If there are any matters you would like raised at the Forum, contact Rob Hill via wbc@readingcyclecampaign.org.uk
A329 Pangbourne to Purley Cycle Path
This project continues to make steady progress with WBC. Its Project Board has given approval to develop an outline design in-house and pursue investigations, following on from the feasibility study and focusing on the proposed off-carriageway section between the eastern end of Pangbourne and western end of Purley.
Officers have met with representatives of Sulham Estate and their consultants on site. In addition, WBC’s new automatic counters will shortly be deployed, and again in the autumn term, to collect data on existing use by cyclists and pedestrians.
No funding is presently earmarked for further work beyond outline level in-house, or for construction. WBC is exploring with Sulham Estate on whether they might make a strip of land available for a bike path.
Theale-Calcot Connector Motorway Footbridge
A feasibility study has been completed, using Active Travel England (ATE) funding. The study focuses on the potential future replacement of the 50+ year-old, narrow pedestrian bridge west of M4 Junction 12, with a replacement structure that would be suitable for cycling as well as walking. This is on LCWIP corridor S5 (Theale-Calcot-Reading).
The feasibility study, funded by ATE, has been discussed with National Highways. The core issue is the substantial funding and resources required for further scheme development and ultimately for construction. The initial estimate is £5.39M for physical replacement of the bridge structure, with costs for land acquisition, legals and construction of approaches on top of this.
National Highways do not have funding available and have no visibility on their own future funding; their position is that the existing bridge is in fair structural condition though not meeting current standards for non-motorised users.
Rob Hill
WBC Campaigner for RCC
