Plans to introduce six new bus lanes on key routes around the town are set to be discussed next week.

The six new bus lanes have been identified for areas in Reading where services suffer from the most delays due to congestion, particularly at peak times.

£26 million is being invested into local bus services by the Council with the aim of attracting even more passengers to use them.

The six new bus lanes being recommended for approval are:

  • A329 Oxford Road - outbound bus lane between Zinzan Street and George Street
  • A329 Oxford Road - outbound bus lane between Pangbourne Street and Norcot Junction
  • A4 Bath Road - outbound bus lane from Circuit Lane to Granville Road
  • A327 Southampton Street - inbound bus lane from Pell Street to The Oracle roundabout
  • A4 London Road - inbound bus lane between Sidmouth Street and London Street
  • A4 London Road - inbound bus lane between Liverpool Road and Cemetery Junction

The proposal has been subject to two rounds of consultation - a four-week informal consultation in summer 2023, followed by a formal statutory consultation in November and December.

The Council has undertaken a thorough review of all consultation responses, acknowledging concerns raised as well as the positive comments.

It believes improving the reliability, speed and frequency of bus services is key to encouraging more people to travel by bus, resulting in reduced congestion, fewer carbon emissions, better air quality and improved health and wellbeing for residents. 

Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport Cllr John Ennis said:

“The proposals for six new bus lanes are part of a much bigger picture to cut congestion and improve the environment and health and wellbeing of Reading residents. 

“Reading already has a popular and well used bus network and it will become even more attractive to people if buses can avoid congestion and run even more reliably, faster and more frequently.

“Everybody knows there is limited road space in Reading and some of the proposed changes will impact on traffic flows in the short term.

"This has been taken into consideration in the design of the new lanes and measures will be taken to mitigate this where possible."

A number of responses to the recent statutory consultation argued that motorcycles should be able to use the new bus lanes if introduced.

The Council is responding with a proposal to make an experimental Traffic Regulation Order to allow this, which would then be reviewed at a later stage.