What is your local transport authority name?
Reading Borough Council
Which geographical region are you in?
South East England
What type of authority are you?
Unitary Authority
How would you classify yourself geographically?
Urban other (population between 25,000 and 250,000)
Please provide the scheme or programme name(s):
Reading Emergency Active Travel (REAcT) Programme
Please provide a brief summary of the scheme(s) or programme. For example, locations, measures to be adopted, whether they are permanent or temporary measures, and how the scheme or programme will improve mobility, and/or assist with social distancing.
The REAcT programme includes a set of schemes at key priority routes and pinch points in Reading as set out below. The schemes will be implemented as temporary measures, however will be kept under on-going review and have the potential to be made permanent in the future.
Reading Bridge – Provision of advisory cycle lanes in both directions. This would involve removing an inbound traffic lane and existing hatching, and remarking the highway to allow northbound and southbound cycle lanes. This will support on road cycling to and from Caversham and create alternative routes to the town centre and Reading Station.
Sidmouth Street – Make the road one way (northbound) for all traffic and introduce a contra-flow cycle lane in the current southbound lane in order to allow increased space to support social distancing for pedestrians and cyclists on this key route between the town centre and Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Westfield Road / Gosbrook Road – Make Gosbrook Road from Westfield Road to Prospect Street into one way (westbound), and Westfield Road one way (southbound) from Henley Road junction to Gosbrook Road at this key pinch point on a desire line to Caversham local centre, reallocating road space for walking and cycling..
Redlands Road – Introduce southbound cycle lane (uphill) and cycle priority measures at Christchurch Green junction on this key route between the town centre, Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading.
London Road – Remove one traffic lane and reallocate as a shared bus and cycle lane, providing further space for pedestrians and cyclists directly outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Silver Street & Southampton Street – Introduce cycle lanes through removal of existing road hatching on this key route between the town centre and University of Reading.
Whitley Street Local Centre – Remove one traffic lane outbound and reallocate to cyclists, alongside other public realm enhancements for pedestrians.
Christchurch Road – Provision of cycle lane between Whitley Street roundabout and Christchurch Green junction (eastbound only), joining up existing and proposed cycle routes, providing a further link to the University.
Oxford Road – Delivery of cycle lanes on Oxford Road a key route into Reading, including at the Oxford Road local centre and Reading West Railway Station.
The programme will also include the installation of cycle counters to aid monitoring of these schemes and to provide useful data when developing further schemes as part of this fund and any future funding opportunities.
What will be the total cost of the scheme or programme (Including VAT)?
£300k (estimate)
What will be the capital cost of the scheme (including VAT)?
£240k (estimate)
What will be the revenue cost of the scheme (including VAT)?
£60k (estimate)
This expenditure is not intended to be used for any consultancy spend. Are you intending to use consultants?
Yes
If yes, please provide details:
The REAcT programme will be delivered by a mixture of Council officers and external consultants to provide specialist support as required. This external support will be vital in ensuring we have sufficient capacity to meet the delivery timescales for the scheme.
Is your authority developing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)?
Yes
Is the proposed scheme located on or within the cycling/waling network plan?
Yes
Has the proposed scheme been identified in the prioritised list of schemes in your LCWIP?
Yes
What measures will be adopted?
If applicable, what is the route length of the scheme(s)?
Total route length – ~9.42km
Reading Bridge – 325m
Sidmouth Street – 255m
Westfield Road / Gosbrook Road – 515m
Redlands Road – 1.03km
London Road – 1.29km
Silver Street & Southampton Street – 1.08km
Whitley Street Local Centre – 200m
Christchurch Road – 740m
Oxford Road – 3.98km
When are the works expected to be completed?
31 July 2020 (subject to timing of funding award)
When is the scheme(s) expected to be open to the public?
Schemes will be opened in stages with all schemes complete and open by 31 July 2020
Will Traffic Regulation Orders be required?
Yes
Please confirm you have read the statutory guidance for local authorities and have consulted with bus operators, hauliers and local groups representing disabled people as appropriate.
Yes
Have you considered how the scheme(s) or programme will be evaluated and will you ensure that appropriate monitoring measures will be put in place?
Yes