Fears over traffic jams have been raised as neighbours have reacted to news that a pub in Reading will be knocked down to make way for a drive-thru Greggs.
The George & Dragon pub in Bath Road, West Reading has been closed since the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
Previously run as a Hungry Horse family pub, its owning company Greene King won approval to demolish the pub and replace it with a drive-thru Greggs in December.
Neighbours fear that the drive-thru could cause traffic jams commenting on a Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) article on The Reading Chronicle website.
Website user johnjones106 said: “Of all the stupid places to choose for a drive-thru this has to be one of the worst.
“It’s on a busy main road next to traffic lights and junction!
“That will not only cause traffic nightmares but local youths will use it for a meeting place after school.”
He also lamented the closure of pubs in the West Reading area.
In a viability assessment Kevin Marsh, the director of Savills, pointed out that there are 13 pubs within 2.1 miles of the George & Dragon.
However, neighbours have argued that few are in walking distance for residents in Southcote and Coley.
Johnjones106 said: “I grew up in this area and have lived here most of my life and there used to be three pubs within walking distance now none and you can’t call the Mansion House or Southcote Beefeaters as drinking holes as they’re restaurants.
“They can build some houses if they have to but NO to a drive-thru.”
Fellow commenter Discerning Pallet was also concerned about traffic intensification, arguing the Greggs in Whitley Street has caused problems on the road.
They said: Just what that horrendous junction needs between two sets of traffic lights. More joining traffic.
“Have you seen the daily carnage at the Greggs at the top of Whitley Street? White vans and minicabs are thrown on every available verge, pavement or double yellow line.”
The Greggs in Whitley Street, which occupies the old Wellington Arms pub, closed on Saturday, February 10.
READ MORE: Greggs at Wellington Arms in Reading closes after five years
Commenting on Facebook, more neighbours were concerned about the intensification of traffic along the A4 Bath Road, the main route to Junction 12 of the M4.
Emma Ruth said: “There’s one [a Greggs] less than a mile away.
“Just go to Sainsbury’s in Calcot or town. It’s just a waste of money and going to cause more hassle than needed. Traffic is already awful half the time there let alone people who now want a Greggs.
“There are better things could be built there other than another ‘fast food’ place.”
Agreeing, Karen Throwell said: “Good luck trying to pull out of there to go right towards the M4, its hard enough trying to pull out of Aldi and Lidl to turn right towards Reading.
“I bet the neighbours are well chuffed.”
Meanwhile, Tommy Tilehurst, reacting to the news on the Reading Chronicle website said: “I quite like Greggs, but prefer an independent where possible.
“I agree it is bad on traffic.
“But also the poor folks living on Moorlands Avenue are now going to have a drive-thru on their doorstep, property values will fall, pollution will increase.
“From the plans the house next door to the pub is going to have a stream of cars piling past, at least when it was a pub, there was the rarely used garden separating them.”
He added that outdoor seating furniture should be taken into the drive-thru building to address concerns about noise disturbance.
The plan involves maintaining an external seating area with umbrellas.
The LDRS has contacted Greene King and Greggs for more information.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel