Reading set for road and public transport changes in 2024

Oxford Road is set to have a bus lane created

Road users in Reading are set to face major changes to street layouts and traffic rules in 2024.

In some places, lanes for all traffic are set to become bus-only lanes.

A year-long push by taxi drivers to use a bus lane along a busy road heading out of the town could also finally be successful.

Meanwhile, rule-breaking drivers who stop in yellow boxes are set to be punished in more locations as enforcement measures are extended.

Journeys for buses are set to be sped up as two new bus lanes are to be created in Oxford Road.

The changes would see a bus lane being created between its junctions with Zinzan Street and George Street.

A new outbound bus lane would also be established alongside the existing traffic lane.

The changes are part of the council's bus service improvement plan (BSIP), which it received more than £26m in government funding for in April 2022.

The main route for drivers from Earley and Woodley and the A329(M) to get into Reading is also set to change.

According to the plans, the stretch of London Road between the Sutton Seeds roundabout and Cemetery Junction would go from two traffic lanes to one.

The lane closest to Palmer Park will become the bus lane.

The scheme is also part of the BSIP.

Taxi drivers could be allowed to use the King's Road bus lane heading eastbound following a year-long campaign by the newly-created Reading Private Hire Association.

An informal consultation on the change to the bus lane has been undertaken, with a report set to be presented with findings to the council's traffic management sub-committee.

A decision is due to be made next month.

Enforcement at more yellow box junctions in Reading is set to be extended to sites including Cemetery Junction and the junction of London Road and Cholmeley Road.

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