PLANS which could see changes to a major route between Reading and Wokingham are now open to consultation.
Joint proposals between Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council would involve a shake-up of public transport routing with the aim of improving journey times and traffic across the boundary.
On the Reading side, they include a revision of the existing bus lane to remove a pinch point and allow a right-turn only lane into Liverpool Road.
Plans for the Wokingham side would see additional bus priority measures on the approach to east Reading.
They would implement an additional inbound bus lane on the A4 London Road approaching Sutton Seeds Roundabout and the removal of the existing service road bus only access.
Two general traffic lanes would be kept alongside the new bus lane by narrowing the central reserve.
A hatched area would be converted on the roundabout to create a bus lane towards Reading, along with the addition of road markings and traffic lights, with changed configuration, to help manage and improve traffic flow
The inbound London Road bus lane was introduced between the junctions of Liverpool Road and Amity Road by Reading Council in August 2024 to improve public transport reliability and journey times coming into Reading from the east.
It was part of a wider £26m programme of bus service improvements in Reading funded by central government.
At the time the Reading bus lane was installed, neighbouring Wokingham Borough Council did not receive the funding that would have enabled the full scheme to be implemented.
Wokingham Borough Council has now begun a five-week informal consultation and, if the scheme progresses, Reading Borough Council will soon hold a statutory consultation on their plans.
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.”
Submissions to the consultation are to be made via: engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects
