Plans for six new bus lanes on major routes in Reading have gone out for consultation.

The plans form the latest phase of Reading Borough Council’s £26 million bus investment, which aims to attract new bus passengers by improving services.

It follows the Reading All-Bus ticket which allows travel on several bus companies including Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Arriva and Thames Travel within the Greater Reading area.

The proposed new bus lanes are at:

  • A329 Oxford Road – Outbound bus lane between Zinzan Street and George Street
  • A329 Oxford Road – Outbound bus lane between Pangbourne Street and Norcot Junction
  • A4 Bath Road – Outbound bus lane from Circuit Lane to Granville Road
  • A327 Southampton Street – Inbound bus lane from Pell Street to The Oracle roundabout
  • A4 London Road – Inbound bus lane between Sidmouth Street and London Street
  • A4 London Road – Inbound bus lane between Liverpool Road and Cemetery Junction

Cllr Tony Page, lead member for climate strategy and transport, said: “Successfully securing £26 million funding to improve Reading’s bus service now sets us on an exciting journey to making our already excellent public transport network one of the best in the country.

“Hot on the heels of us launching our new value-for-money Reading All-Bus day travel ticket, these latest proposals further enhance our ambition to make travelling by bus in Reading easier, cheaper, quicker and more reliable.

“Prioritising bus travel will benefit, not only our transport network and current and potential bus passengers, but also for our environment. If more people choose to travel by bus this will result in reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, health and wellbeing.

“Bus services, including community transport and school services, provide a vital lifeline for many people and access to opportunities such as education, training, employment, essential services and social events.

“Reading already has an extensive bus network which is well used by residents and visitors. However, bus services do suffer from delays as a result of traffic congestion, particularly at peak times, so there is a need to introduce greater priority for buses to improve services for local residents.

“We do appreciate any major change like this to Reading’s road infrastructure will generate mixed opinions, and that is why we are keen to stress no decisions have been taken and we are keen to gather as much feedback as possible on the six new bus lanes we’ve proposed. I urge people to look at the proposals in more detail and have their say.”

The consultation is open from Friday, May 19 until Friday, June 16.

Visit: www.reading.gov.uk/bus-lanes

View the proposed bus lanes on the Active Travel Google Map here (highlighted in red): https://www.google.co.uk/maps/d/edit?mid=1GMd2yd6lK7xb9xyn2_V5Y3wz469BJ7w&usp=sharing

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