Consultation on new transport plans for east Reading

Proposals to improve bus journeys and general traffic flow on a key route into east Reading are now out for consultation.

Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council have worked together on plans affecting both sides of the local authority boundary.

The aim is to improve journey times for buses and general traffic on the A4 London Road corridor.

Proposed changes in Wokingham borough

Wokingham Borough Council is proposing additional inbound bus priority measures on the approach to east Reading.

These include:

• a new inbound bus lane on the A4 London Road approaching Sutton Seeds roundabout
• removal of the existing service road bus-only access
• retaining two general traffic lanes alongside the new bus lane by narrowing the central reserve
• converting a hatched area on the roundabout to create a bus lane towards Reading
• new road markings and reconfigured traffic signals to help manage traffic flow

The proposals would not remove capacity for general traffic.

Proposed changes in Reading borough

On the Reading side, the council is proposing to revise the existing inbound bus lane between Liverpool Road and Amity Road.

The bus lane, introduced in August 2024, would be shortened to remove a pinch point and allow a new right-turn only lane into Liverpool Road.

The original London Road bus lane formed part of a £26 million government-funded programme to improve bus services in Reading. At the time, Wokingham Borough Council did not receive funding to deliver complementary measures on its section of the route.

Both councils have since worked together to develop revised proposals within the available funding.

Councillor comments

Cllr John Ennis, Reading's Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“When the London Road bus lane was introduced in east Reading back in 2024 the council was very clear it would closely monitor the scheme and review any issues that arose.

While Wokingham Borough Council was not able to secure the funding to complete the full scheme at the time, I am pleased that we have subsequently been able to work closely with colleagues in Wokingham borough on a package of measures that should improve traffic flow and journey times for both buses and general traffic. It will also benefit motorists using Liverpool Road to access areas of New Town.

Our aim has always been to improve the reliability of public transport on what is a key commuter route into Reading and the additional bus lanes on the Wokingham side will help enable that and reduce congestion which can build up on Sutton Seeds roundabout as traffic filters into east Reading.

It is also important to emphasise that these proposals would be implemented without the removal of any capacity for general traffic.”

Cllr Adrian Betteridge, Wokingham Borough Council executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said:

"These improvements are designed to make everyday journeys better for everyone travelling into Reading. By giving buses dedicated space without reducing capacity for other road users, we can help cut delays where congestion often builds. We want residents, commuters and local businesses to tell us what they think, so I’d encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey."