CityFibre faces grilling over Reading traffic congestion

Huge tailbacks built up over Reading Bridge which is one of two connecting the town centre and Caversham

An internet firm that has caused "significant traffic congestion" during installation of superfast broadband faces a grilling by councillors.

CityFibre directors will appear before Reading Borough Council (RBC) on Thursday to answer questions about months of disruption in Reading.

RBC's transport lead Tony Page, said there had been an "unacceptable knock-on effect on people's lives".

The company must provide a robust traffic management plan, he added.

The Berkshire town has suffered huge tailbacks during various phases of CityFibre's £58m project to lay new cabling, which began in January last year.

Oxford Road and Caversham have been the worst affected areas, with huge tailbacks building up over the town's two bridges crossing the River Thames.

Mr Page wrote to the firm in April to voice "continuing concerns" about its performance and that of Instalcom, its highway contractor.

'Roads gridlocked'

The firm's bosses will be quizzed by the council's strategic environment planning and transport committee, which will also hear from GrainConnect, a new telecoms utility company that is planning similar activities in Reading.

Mr Page said: "Residents in Reading will understand that this is a significant investment by CityFibre in superfast broadband in the town.

"Nevertheless, there have been phases of this project where roads have essentially been gridlocked, with an unacceptable knock-on effect on people's lives and livelihoods."

This was "in spite of assurances made to myself and council officers" by CityFibre and Instalcom ahead of the work, he added.

Stacey King, CityFibre regional partnership director, said: "We'd like to reassure residents that we are doing everything possible to manage disruption.

"In Reading, we recently carried out works during off-peak hours with a diversion route in place to minimise traffic and in the meeting with the council later this week, we will be discussing ways of limiting disruption.

"We'd like to thank residents and commuters for their patience."

CityFibre's roll-out is due to continue for months before it is completed. The firm has been approached for comment.

Mr Page said it was CityFibre's responsibility "to present a robust traffic management plan which takes into account every aspect of its work", including minimising disruption.