Overnight closures due to start on relief road

The work will see the A33 shut on several Saturday nights and weeknights between August and October

A main route in Reading is due to close overnight to allow work on the final stages of a bus scheme.

It will see the A33 Relief Road shut on several Saturday nights and weeknights between August and October in the Berkshire town.

Reading Borough Council said the work, the fifth phase of the South Reading Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, would see new bus lanes link with existing routes and additional bus stops added.

The first overnight closure on the stretch of road will be in place between Bennet Road and the A329 Inner Distribution Road (IDR) from 18:00 BST until 09:00 on Sunday, with further closures planned until mid October.

A signed diversion will be in place when the road is closed overnight, via Bennet Road, Basingstoke Road, Southampton Street/Whitley Street and the IDR.

Traffic management staff on site will guide drivers needing access to Kennet Island and properties and businesses during the closures.

Saturday closures between 18:00 - 09:00:

• 9 August

• 16 August

• 30 August

• 27 September

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday closures 20:00 - 06:00:

• 1 - 4 September

• 6 - 9 October

• 13 - 16 October

The work is part of the South Reading BRT scheme, paid for with £26m of funding from the Department for Transport.

A pedestrian and cycle bridge has also been put in over the River Kennet as part of the project.

The scheme aims to encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking to help reduce congestion and improve air quality.