Red Routes

What is a red route?

A Red Route is a strict ‘no stopping’ restriction designed to keep key transport routes clear and traffic flowing. This system has been successfully used on major bus routes in London for many years, helping to reduce delays for bus passengers and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Reading Borough Council has introduced a combination of double-red and single-red lines to mirror existing yellow-line controls and create a continuous ‘no-stopping’ corridor. Existing parking and loading bays along the route have been retained where possible, with additional facilities provided where needed.

• Double red lines mean no stopping at any time, including for loading or unloading.
  Limited exceptions apply for:
  • Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, and
  • Blue Badge holders
    These vehicles may briefly stop only to allow passengers to get in or out. Waiting for passengers to arrive is not permitted under any circumstances.
• Single red lines allow stopping or parking only during the times shown on nearby signs.

Red route restrictions are enforced using CCTV cameras, enabling efficient monitoring and enforcement of illegal stopping, which can disrupt traffic flow and create hazards for cyclists and pedestrians.

Parking on red routes in Reading is strictly controlled to keep traffic moving. If you park in contravention of the red route regulations, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Maps of our Red Routes can be found below:

• Red route town centre plans
• Red route amendment plans
• Red route western corridor plans
• Red route eastern corridor plans

Red route dispensation

In some cases, we will allow exemptions to the existing parking controls. These are known as dispensations. The main reason we have brought in the dispensation process is to allow occasional loading and unloading in location where we have the red route however they need to stop at these locations to conduct certain activities where no other bays are suitable or can be conducted outside of the restricted hours.

We manage parking dispensations along red routes by application.

Contact us as early as possible if you want to apply for a red route dispensation. We need at least six working days (including the day we receive your request) to process your application.

Apply for a Red Route dispensation.

To process your application, you will need the following information:

• Create an account
• Location of the dispensation
• Vehicle details, including registration
• Start date and times of the dispensation period
• End date and times of the dispensation period
• Any other relevant conditions or reasons for the dispensation

Please note: A valid vehicle registration is required to make an application. If you do not yet know the registration, you will need to wait and apply once it is known. Applications without a registration cannot be processed.

We will review your application to assess its impact on other road users. This may include evaluating traffic flow and checking for conflicts with other scheduled activities or works.

Dispensations are not granted where reasonable parking alternatives exist or for reasons of convenience. For example, deliveries should typically use nearby parking or loading bays rather than stopping directly outside a property.

Requests for parking on single or double red lines are only granted in exceptional circumstances (e.g., erecting scaffolding, moving heavy items). These require special consideration and may involve a site visit before approval.

In emergencies, you may apply for a dispensation retrospectively. If a Penalty Charge Notice is issued, your approval confirmation email can be used as evidence of the dispensation.

If your dispensation is approved

We will contact you to confirm if your request has been approved. If a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued during the approved period, please use your confirmation email as evidence when submitting a challenge or representation. This will help us verify that a valid dispensation was in place.

If your dispensation is refused

We may refuse your request if the impact on the red route is considered too significant, or if the reasons provided do not meet the criteria for a dispensation.

Where possible, we will suggest an alternative – this could be a different time or a nearby location that may be more suitable for your needs.