AT least five months of roadworks to reduce congestion and improve journey times on the busy A33 will begin in January.

Reading Borough Council will start the work on Monday, January 5 with plans to extend the left-turn filter lane at the A33/Rose Kiln Lane north junction, and extend the left and right turn filter lanes at the A33/Rose Kiln Lane south junction.

To minimise disruption, the work will be carried out between 9.30am and 3.30pm, and bus services running to and from Kennet Island, Madejski Stadium, Green Park and Reading International Business Park will run as normal.

Tony Page, the borough's lead member for strategic environment, transport and planning, said:

“These are improvements carried out by the council which will ultimately help to ease congestion at a recognised bottleneck on the A33 at Rose Kiln Lane.

"There will also be a much improved pedestrian and cycle path that isn’t susceptible to flooding running alongside the A33.

"We hope, as a result, this will become a more popular route for pedestrians and cyclists, including those who travel to and from the business parks in the area.

“Temporary lane closures will all take place outside peak hours and the council will post the latest information on the signal boards along the A33 to keep road users updated.”

Plans are also in place to create a more direct pedestrian and cycle links alongside the A33 crossing of the River Kennet.

A new raised pedestrian and cycle route along the A33 between Rose Kiln Lane and Bennet Road will also be built.