THE FINAL consultation on whether cyclists should be allowed to bike throughout one of town's busiest street was launched today [Thursday].

Residents have three weeks to tell the council whether it should lift the ban which currently stops cyclists from riding through sections of Broad Street.

The statutory consultation follows from the online feedback where 62 per cent of neighbours showed they are in favour of removing the restrictions.

Councillor Tony Page, Reading's lead member for transport, said: "There were 1,283 responses to the informal consultation the Council held through November and December last year, which illustrates the level of public interest on this issue.

“A clear majority of respondents to that consultation favoured allowing cycling along the length of Broad Street. To implement such a change requires an amendment to the existing Traffic Regulation Order, which is why the statutory consultation process is now necessary.

“There is now a three-week window for people to respond to the statutory consultation, with a closing date of Thursday March 10. I would urge anyone who has an opinion on the issue of cycling in Broad Street to take this final opportunity to feed into the decision making process.”

Cycling is currently banned in Broad Street west - between St Mary's Butts and Queen Victoria Street - after it was pedestrianised in the 1990s.

Yet riders are allowed to pedal through other parts of the street, particularly at the eastern end via Cross Street and Queen Victoria Street.

Councillors have disagreed in the past over whether or not the proposals are a good idea, but decided residents will make the final call.

Speaking at a council meeting last month, Cllr Tony Jones said: "I'm against cycling in Broad Street, I'm happy that there are cycle routes around the town centre.

"But for Broad Street itself I believe that should be a pedestrianised only zone.

"If the council were to take a sandwich board and said to people 'do you think this should be cycle free or cycling willy nilly I would bet a penny to the pound people would say thanks but no thanks.

"But we live in a democracy so let's see what what happens."

Residents now have until March 10 to submit their responses.

People can have their say by going to www.reading.gov.uk/cyclingconsultation, by emailing highway.objections@reading.gov.uk or writing to: C J Brooks, Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU.