PLANS for a new public transport link to funnel buses and coaches into the town centre are going on display.

The road bridge over the River Kennet is set to speed up journey times by linking the A3290 and Napier Road to bypass east Reading.

The £20m project would be off limits to general traffic but contain a separate lane to allow pedestrians and cyclists to follow the route.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading borough's transport leader, said the designs formed part of a "bigger picture" that will see the town surrounded by a series of park and rides in an effort to cut down on congestion.

Known as the East Reading Mass Rapid Transit, the scheme is set to tie in with a separate bid from Wokingham Borough Council to create a new park and ride next to Thames Valley Park.

However Cllr Page added: "We are not talking about building this bridge just for a 277 space park and ride.

"This is a bridge to take large numbers of buses and coaches from a much wider area."

Services from Bracknell, Wokingham and the RailAir shuttle to Heathrow Airport are all expected to see 15 to 20 minutes saved from journey times at peak periods if the plans are approved.

Initial funding for the design work has already been awarded and the council hopes to get further finance from the government and Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership.

Outline proposals will be available for public scrutiny next week and formal planning permission is due to be sought before the end of the year.

Concerns have previously been raised by Green Party councillors that the project was a pre-cursor to a new carriageway but Cllr Page said: "When we build this it will be physically impossible to have through traffic using it."

At the point where the structure would cross Kennetmouth it is proposed to narrow the road to a single lane.

Cllr Page added: "Reading is getting busier with limited road space to absorb increasing levels of traffic.

"The only realistic way to alleviate congestion is to provide quick and safe alternative routes for people, to encourage them out of their cars and onto sustainable forms of transport like buses, walking and cycling."

A public consultation event at the Waterside Centre, Thames Valley Park Drive will take place between 1pm and 7pm on July 19 with full copies of the initial plans.

What do you think about the plans? Let us know in the comments below or email news@readingchronicle.co.uk