A huge public consultation on the future of transport in Reading was launched yesterday.

The town’s “biggest ever transport consultation” aims to give anyone who interacts with Reading the opportunity to have their say on how to tackle issues such as congestion and air quality.

Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) new Local Transport Plan will be developed based on the response and will include borough-wide strategies for car parking and air quality.

The consultation includes an online survey, leaflets to every home, discussion sessions, school workshops, and meetings with Reading’s neighbouring local authorities.

Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward, chair of the Clean Air and Safer Transport Forum, said: “At present we have levels of congestion and poor air quality in areas of the town that we know are having a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of residents.

“We are a thriving destination. With Reading’s success comes some major challenges in terms of congestion and air pollution.

“It is not all doom and gloom, but we need to improve. We need to make choices that are healthy for the town and the environment.

“Everybody has an opinion on transport in Reading. Now is the time for people to make their voices heard.”

The consultation will run until September 20 and a draft Local Transport Plan will be created in autumn.

RBC is looking to introduce traffic management measures which address through traffic using Reading as a short cut with no origin, destination or purpose in the borough.

Potential strategies include a congestion charge, workplace parking levy and clean air zone.

No decisions will be taken until the council has analysed feedback from the consultations.

Residents will be consulted again in Spring 2020, with the plan expected to be finalised by late 2020.

READ MORE: It’s vital to have your say on the Local Transport Plan consultation, says Jason Brock

Eighty-six per cent of people who commute into Reading for work do so by car, while thousands of new homes are expected to be built every year in neighbouring boroughs like Wokingham and South Oxfordshire.

Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said this is a situation “no responsible local authority can ignore”.

He said: “Reading’s challenge is to successfully absorb the growth in housing, jobs and commuting in the future, whilst protecting the health of its residents.

“The council does not have all the answers, which is why we are now asking residents, businesses, schools, interest groups and neighbouring local authorities for their input.

“This is Reading’s biggest ever transport consultation and will play a big part in shaping the future of transport in the town.

“Earlier this year the council committed to work with partners towards a carbon neutral Reading by 2030.

“That sort of change would require a major shift in people’s travel choices and sustainable transport solutions which offer realistic alternatives to the private car.”

READ MORE: Reading routes to be transferred to Crossrail as Great Western Railway begin changes

Public events will be held as follows:

Tuesday, August 6, South Reading Community Hub, Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, between 3pm and 7pm.

Thursday, August 15, Church House, Church Street, Caversham between 3pm and 7pm.

Wednesday, August 28, Salvation Army, Reading West , 522 Oxford Road, between 3pm and 7pm

Wednesday, September 4, Waterhouse Chamber, Reading Town Hall, between 3pm and 7pm

Tuesday, September 10, 7am to 10am, Reading Station Forecourt.