THERE’S not much getting away from the big story in the Reading area at the moment; ending the daily traffic gridlock and convincing south Oxon residents that it’s in everyone’s interests to deliver a third Thames bridge. To that end, Henley MP John Howell and I co-chaired a summit at Westminster on Monday aimed at relieving the pressure on Reading and Caversham bridges.

The summit brought together all the local authorities affected by the existing traffic problems, together with those Oxfordshirecouncils whose areas may be impacted by the construction of a third bridge (Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council). It also included representatives of Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), tasked with deciding priorities for the area’s infrastructure investment, and the Department of Transport. It’s effectively the first time all the main stakeholders have met in the same room.

We heard from council representatives that the existing Thames bridges are no longer fit to carry the volume of traffic, with thousands of South Oxfordshire commuters heading into Reading every day. The result is frequent traffic gridlock, causing inconvenience to businesses and potentially dissuading big companies from investing and relocating here. The LEP’s strategic plan feedback survey showed business strongly sees the third bridge as a priority.

The summit’s outcome was positive. Officers from the local authorities will work to address concerns that a bridge could lead to an increase in traffic in villages in South Oxfordshire. The Oxfordshire councils have agreed to share their traffic data and the group of councils aim to present a common view of what is required at a follow-up summit in June. This will lead to detailed modelling of projected traffic patterns, plus options for delivering and managing the bridge.

However, it is important we all understand that it is a very long way from being built. This is a five to 10 year project from end to end and the Oxon councils could still decide not to support it. That is why it will be important to clear up the myths and false stories that have circulated about Reading’s intentions over the decades.

I am committed to delivering this project in the same way as I was a Western Heathrow Rail Link and Reading Station. We need everybody ito remain focused and level headed to ensure we make it happen this time. But even the longest march begins with the first step.