Leader: We're all in a jam

Published 2 Dec 2010 09:30 3 Comments

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EVEN the most mild-mannered commuter in Greater Reading will, at one time or another, have been reduced to helpless anger and frustration by the vagaries of our traffic and transport systems.

Buses, more often than not, are at the heart of those frustrations. Either you're on one that's not moving, you're waiting for one that's not arrived or you're sitting behind one or more of them in your car or van; and you're all at a standstill.

It is perhaps small consolation to know that James Freeman, chief executive of Reading Buses, shares your frustrations. But, as he tells us this week, he does share them, because no matter how sophisticated his buses or their fuel systems, their punctuality is guaranteed to be shattered by a carelessly parked car, broken down van or even a badly timed snow shower; especially on Fridays.

Equally, at just about any time the knock-on effect of a malfunctioning traffic light can either send drivers bowling blithely through the junction it is supposed to control or cause instant vehicular paralysis. Meanwhile, in Shinfield Road the self-inflicted problems continue to simmer and if our borough councillors can afford to shun 4,430 votes in May then they know what to do next.

But, while the motor car inevitably gets the blame for the problem, increasing rail fares by 30% over five years is hardly the solution.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Steve Berry
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Dec 10, 13:11
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Reading Borough Council have given a disproportionate advantage to buses, at the expense of other traffic. Carrying 40 people or whatever into town by bus should be given no more advantage than 40 cars. I understand the reason why it is, but time has proven that buses have reached their maximum extent in passengers. I don't believe any more people can be persuaded to leave their car at home and take an inconvenient mode of transport with sometimes unpleasant people as fellow travellers. Similarly. I completely fail to see why a taxi is given advantage over other road users - it makes no sense whatsoever!

A bus stopped at the 'New Inn' stop opposite Cranbury Road in Oxford Road can manage to hold up all traffic (including following buses) all the way back to Wantage Road. This is because RBC thinks it's a good idea to remove lay-bys and instead let a bus hold up the traffic! This is the bizarre line of thinking that RBC exhibits, so jams are no surprise.

Until RBC actually start managing traffic, rather than treat every problem with incredible incompetence and impotence, then we will all suffer.

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Readingborn
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Dec 10, 16:03
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Have the planners ever considered putting a bridge over the Thames at Scours Lane? It would take away some of the traffic coming from West Reading heading north. The railway bridge at Scours Lane would have to be widened, and the infrastructure in Norcot, Kentwood, Tilehurst and Reading West would have to be adjusted to cope with an increase in traffic. Hopefully this could be done without introducing more traffic lights. No doubt those on the Oxford bank would object violently.

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Steve Berry
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Dec 10, 18:46
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The trouble with that is that where would it link to? If you go straight across then you could run the road through fields and then deviate east to go through a small wood, through a small part of the golf course, and terminate opposite Shepherds Lane. Trouble is, that has issues all of its own. A third bridge is desperately needed at Suttons, BUT you have to cut off the cross point at Cemetary Junction all the whole thing would be pointless (because it would be too congested). A third bridge is an absolute necessity, and I've got bored with hearing it from RBC for so many years. Their laughable pitch to become a city while having just two bridges across a river that divides the town in two shows what a nonsense it is.

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