Woodley to Reading Cycle Scheme
Work is progressing well on the new scheme and the first half (from Woodley Precinct along Woodlands Avenue towards Reading) is scheduled to be completed in around eight weeks’ time.
This cycle scheme was heavily criticised by some political parties, who organised vocal local opposition at Council meetings and via online consultations and politicised its designs and introduction.
WoBC organised multiple consultations and re-designs and the cycle scheme, which will provide the borough with its first LTN 1/20 compliant cycle infrastructure, was given the green light last year, the work being funded by central government Active Travel fund money.
Even though the cycle scheme had been so politicised and condemned in certain quarters, the incumbent Liberal Democrats recorded their strongest ever results in South Lake Ward in Woodley, the ward in Woodley in which the cycle scheme is located.
This might point to the fact that active travel infrastructure, despite often coming up against vocal and well organised opposition, might not always be as unpopular as people might have you believe.
This was played out across the Borough, and despite being accused of a war on motorists for changing speed limits to better reflect road use and improve road safety, the Liberal Democrats maintained their control of the Council.
WoBC will issue a press release on the Woodley to Reading cycle scheme once this section is open and available to use. In the meantime, you can find further up-to-date information by following WoBC on social media, or by visiting the following website: https://tinyurl.com/2uz9ju7d
Safer Streets
The safer streets consultation closed on 1 May 2026. According to the Council there were over 600 submissions from local residents keen for improvement to road safety in their neighbourhoods.
The next step will be for the data to be looked at and for schemes to be designed in areas where safer streets are popular and practical; these will then be put out to wider consultation.
For more information on safer streets: https://tinyurl.com/55tndfen
Alex Cran
WoBC Campaigner for RCC
