A decision to turn down a scheme for a new single track bus lane over the River Thames will see Reading Borough Council lose approximately £19 million of funding for transport infrastructure.
The money would have come from the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership, and in a statement today, Reading Borough Council says they have lost it because of Wokingham’s objections.
Meanwhile, campaigners were ecstatic that at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, December 12, the plans to build the concrete bridge near to the historic riverside were turned down.
Protesters had been in the meeting watching while the planning committee made its final decision, playing birdsong and waving placards.
Following yesterday’s result, Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “The Council is very disappointed by the decision of Wokingham’s Planning Committee.
“The principal aim of the scheme is to offer a quick and sustainable public transport alternative for the many thousands of car journeys which take place between Wokingham and Reading every day.
“The scheme would help manage levels of congestion and air quality to mitigate the many thousands of new homes which will be built in the area over the coming years. Without it, roads in East Reading will face even worse congestion and increased air pollution.
“These negative effects will be felt by both commuters travelling in from Wokingham and residents living in the east of the Borough.”
Wokingham Borough Council rejected similar plans back in June, while Reading Council gave its approval for the infrastructure on its side of the Thames Path to go ahead.
The revised December plans included narrowing the lane by one metre and green netting to try and camouflage the concrete – but after 319 objections and only seven letters in favour from the Wokingham Borough Council, the plans cannot be put into action.
The bus lane was to be constructed between Thames Valley Park and the Vastern Road end of Reading Station. A bridge was then to be built to continue the bus lane route next to the two Brunel bridges, where Kennet and Avon canal join the River Thames.
The bus route was predicted to accommodate Lion buses, a new Woodley bus route and Heathrow Air Rail, with the potential to carry a range of other Wokingham Borough Park and Ride services, although that is yet to confirmed.
Mr Page continued: “It means Reading has lost in the region of £19 million of funding for transport infrastructure improvements to help alleviate congestion and air quality problems.
“The scheme however still forms a vital part of both Reading and Wokingham’s strategies to manage the planned levels of economic growth and housing delivery in the area.”
