Woodley to Reading Active Travel Route
We’re aiming to improve our borough’s routes to make walking and cycling the natural choice for local journeys - and parts of longer ones where possible.
Increasing cycling and walking can help us tackle some of society’s most challenging issues – improving air quality, combating climate change, improving people’s health and wellbeing, addressing inequality and tackling congestion on our roads.
With the increasing cost of fuel, walking and cycling is likely to become a more attractive option so we want to make sure we’re providing facilities that are safe, comfortable and inclusive for everyone.
As part of the Government’s Active Travel Fund tranches 2 and 3, we’ve secured funding to improve the cycling and walking connection between Woodley town centre and the Reading borough boundary at Palmer Park.
This is one of the key routes which have been identified in our emerging Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, a borough-wide strategic document.
The link would create a safe, inclusive and direct access to Woodley town centre while connecting it to several schools and leisure facilities.
Phases
Second consultation
Following the initial engagement exercise, we used your feedback to develop the design of the Woodley / Reading Active Travel Route further for this consultation.
The main characteristics of the proposal include:
- A two-way stepped cycle track to segregate cyclists from vehicles and pedestrians along Woodlands Avenue, Church Road and Culver Lane
- On-carriageway cycling on Palmerstone Road or Anderson Avenue due to low traffic flows and speeds
- Speed limit reduction to 20mph along Woodlands Avenue, Palmerstone Road and Anderson Avenue
- One-way (westbound) system for motor vehicles between Howth Drive and Lytham Road to reduce through traffic for Woodlands Avenue east and enable the introduction of cycle track whilst maintaining existing footway widths and green verges
- Localised widened passing places on the one-way section to facilitate passing of delivery/servicing vehicles
- Upgrade of side road junctions to prioritise pedestrian and cyclist movements
- Introduction of parallel crossings to prioritise pedestrian and cyclist movements
- Introduction of bus stop bypasses where the cycle track is routed around the back of the bus stop providing cyclists with continuous segregation from motor traffic
The proposal may result in some localised increases in traffic flows. These will be monitored and mitigated if required.