Huge changes to town centre road network

Adam Hewitt • Published 14 Jun 2010 16:00 2 Comments

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AN EIGHT-MONTH project making major changes to the town centre road network begins next week.

Transport staff are expecting pedestrians, bus users and drivers to be confused at first as one-way streets have their directions reversed and other streets become two-way for the first time.

However they say the changes are necessary and are opening a public information office in Cross Street to explain the changes:

- Phase one, starting on Monday, will put in a southbound bus lane in West Street and make more of St Mary's Butts two-way.

- Phase two, from August, will introduce a westbound bus lane in the western half of Friar Street.

- Phase three, from September, includes making Valpy Street one-way eastbound and reversing the one-way direction of the eastern half of Friar Street to make it westbound.

- Phase four, from November, is closing Station Approach to traffic and making Blagrave Street southbound only.

Roads and pavements through the town centre will be resurfaced and pavements widened in Station Road, Blagrave Street, West Street and St Mary's Butts.

At Thursday's meeting of Reading Borough Council's traffic panel, head of transport, Pat Baxter, confirmed confusing signs warning pedestrians of station-related roadworks in Vastern Road and Caversham Road will be moved after complaints and a safety inspection. She said: "The decision is that the current agreement is not safe for pedestrians. Those changes to the signage will be implemented fairly quickly."

Midweek reader Elle Stear complained about the works last week, saying: "I think it is only a matter of time before a pedestrian gets hurt. Access into town from under the bridge is very difficult and the pedestrian crossing has been taken away so pedestrians are crossing this busy junction without one. The alternative route is not clearly marked so people are not using it."

Bus routes and stops will also be changed but details are not yet available. For more visit www.reading.gov.uk/station

UPDATE:

Reading Borough Council has announced more details about the project here:

www.reading.gov.uk/latest/mediareleases/PressArticle.asp?id=SX9452-A784E6F1

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Howard Thomas
Unregistered User
Jun 17, 00:12
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Why on earth can't a temporary pedestrian crossing be installed under the Vastern rd bridge ? It really can't be that difficult.......and I don't want to hear the excuses!

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John
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Jun 17, 15:43
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Why on earth can't a pedestrian crossing Vastern rd pay attention to the traffic? It really can't be that difficult.......and I don't want to hear the excuses!

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