Petitioners in west Reading are calling for an end to a waiting restriction for cars along a new experimental red route.

The red route along the number 17 bus corridor has been in place on the east side for just over a year and on the west side since late summer 2018.

Residents on Norcot Road have asked Reading Borough Council (RBC) to remove the west side of the red route once the pilot period ends.

Ms Pickett said the restriction was causing congestion and children and people with disabilities were struggling to cross the busy main road, while drivers were complaining about the impact on deliveries.

She said: “We all want our roads to be safe and for the buses and traffic to flow freely. We also need to ensure pedestrians, cyclists and those using disability scooters do not encounter any obstacles.

“Clearly, one size does not fit all. What works in areas where there are shops does not work in purely residential areas where other solutions can be found.

“We propose that the council reviews this section of the red route after the experimental period expires and either removes it or replaces it with another scheme which would enable us to park on the access to our driveways.”

The Traffic Management Sub-Committee agreed last night to turn the restriction on the east side into a permanent traffic regulation order.

The west side will be assessed and decided on by the sub-committee in June.

Ms Pickett presented a petition from nine addresses on 275-291 Norcot Road. The petition has 11 signatures on behalf of 14 people at these addresses.

She said ‘numerous’ parking tickets have been issued since the red route took effect but warning notices should have been issued first to make residents aware of the change.

Councillor Daya Pal Singh called for the committee to have ‘flexibility’ and ‘sympathise’ with residents’ concerns.

The experimental red route, which aims to allow a quicker passage into town along the number 17 bus corridor, has been in place on the east side for just over a year and on the west side since late summer 2018.

The restrictions mean vehicles cannot stop where there are red lines at any time, not including emergency vehicles.

Only disabled blue badge holders, taxis and private hire vehicles licensed by the council can stop to pick up and drop people off.

Enforcement of the route is carried out by council officers and a mobile CCTV enforcement van.

Councillor Brenda McGonigle called for static cameras to be introduced along the route as she said the van can take an hour to complete the route.

Simon Beasley, network and parking services manager, said static cameras in certain locations might be needed but this would not be decided until the route is made permanent.