First wave of traffic lights named in roads shake-up

Adam Hewitt • Published 8 Sep 2010 09:30 Comments 1 Comment

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TRANSPORT officials have taken just eight weeks to pick 20 sets of traffic lights that could be ditched in a radical shake-up of the town’s road network.

Changes to another seven junctions have been ruled out on safety and technical grounds in the borough-wide review instigated by transport leader Cllr Richard Willis.

He asked for road users’ input over the summer and their suggestions have helped officers compile the list and will be taken into account in the final review.

He said: “This is just the first instalment of junctions to be considered for removal of traffic lights.

“Further work will follow to identify which of the first category can safely have lights removed, and to identify the funding to implement the changes.

“At the same time I have asked for a complete review of the A33 Relief Road corridor and its many sets of traffic lights.”

But he is waiting six months before reviewing the Shinfield Road lights, which have caused tailback misery for thousands since being installed last month, in the face of huge protests led by residents Luis Mendez and Chris Wagstaff.

Cllr Willis has said he would not have gone ahead with the scheme, initiated under Labour, but now wants to wait and see before ordering their costly removal.

He said: "Having installed them, it's got to be looked at through good times and bad, not just when the first wave of schools have just gone back. It's got to be given a fair wind, but I know people have extremely strong views, which is why I've said it will be reviewed after six months."

The main traffic light review is up for discussion tomorrow (Thursday) at the council’s traffic management advisory panel meeting at 6.30pm in the civic centre. Anyone can attend.

The traffic light junctions nominated by council officers:

Category 1 - Possibility to change or remove (subject to further investigation)

- Kings Street junction with High Street (Town Centre)

- Basingstoke Road junction Elgar Road

- Basingstoke Road with Bennet Road

- Gosbrook Road junction with Westfield Road

- Henley Road junction with All Hallows Road

- Berkeley Avenue junction Coley Avenue

- The Meadway junction with Combe Road

- Friar Street junction with West Street and Greyfriars Road (Town Centre)

- St Mary's Butts junction with Broad Street (Town Centre)

- Basingstoke Road junction with Rose Kiln Lane

- London Road junction with Eldon Road

- Castle Street roundabout

- Vastern Road junction with De Montfort Road

- Vastern Road junction with De Bohun Road

- Forbury Road by Forbury Gardens

- The Meadway junction with Honey End Lane

- George Street junction with Gosbrook Road

- Bennet Road Gyratory

- A33 junction close to Matalan

- A33 junction with Rose Kiln Lane and Thames Water

Category 2 - Not recommended on accident and/or technical grounds for significant change or removal

-Queen Victoria Street junction with Friar Street (Town Centre)

- Bridge Street junction with St Mary's Butts (Town Centre)

- Henley Road junction with Lower Henley Road

- Southampton Street roundabout

- Berkeley Avenue junction with Rose Kiln Lane and St Saviours Road

- Bath Road junction with Burghfield Road

- Bath Road junction Hogarth Avenue

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 08 Sep 10

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Howard Thomas
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Sep 11, 19:33
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The new Shinfield road lights should surely fall into category 1 as possible to change or remove. I wonder why not !

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