Third new bus lane set to open in Reading

Reading's third new bus lane is due to open on Oxford Road after resurfacing work

A third new bus lane is due to open in Reading at the weekend.

The lane will be installed on the outbound carriageway of the Oxford Road, between its junctions with Pangbourne Street and Norcot Road.

It will follow resurfacing work taking place between the junctions of Shaftesbury Road and Norcot Road, every night this week up to and including Friday 1 November, from 19:00 to 02:00 GMT.

Six controversial bus lanes were approved by Reading Borough Council as part of a £26m investment in bus services.

The bus lane will go live immediately after the resurfacing work is finished

Previously the council said the bus lanes would "cut congestion and improve the environment".

It has also said this new lane is being created through a redesign of the highway, with no loss of road space for general traffic.

The westbound left-turn lane to Norcot Road has also been extended to help improve movements at the roundabout.

Diversion routes are in place during the resurfacing work and the bus lane will open as soon as its finished.

It is the second new bus lane to open on Oxford Road.

John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “The busy Oxford Road is an integral part of Reading’s best-used bus route, the Purple 17, which runs between east and west Reading all day every day.

"The introduction of these two new bus lanes will benefit many thousands of passengers whose journeys will now run more smoothly, as well as residents who live in and around the Oxford Road by reducing congestion and the health impacts of air pollution."

Reading's first new bus lane was introduced in London Road in August but some residents have blamed it for congestion.