One of Reading's 'most important junctions' is set to close from Monday.

St Mary’s Butts and Broad Street at Target junction will be closed in both directions for essential repairs to ‘significant defects’ on the road service, according to the council.

The work will begin at 7.30am at the start of the week and last until 4pm on Friday (February 25), but Oxford Road and West Street will remain open throughout.

Reading Chronicle: In red: The areas closed from 7.30am on Monday (February 21) In red: The areas closed from 7.30am on Monday (February 21)

Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for transport Tony Page said: “Target Junction carries many hundreds of buses every day, as well as heavy goods vehicles delivering into and out of the town centre, so it is no surprise that the surface has deteriorated significantly over the years.

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“Work to patch up the junction has taken place previously, but we are now at the point where it is essential that a full repair takes place in the interests of the safety of all road users.

“The repair process means that a closure over a number of days is unavoidable.

However, the Council’s team is confident that the work can be completed before the weekend depending on the weather, and working hours have been extended to try to ensure that the job does not spill over into the following working week.

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“This is one of Reading’s most important Town Centre junctions. We know this work will cause some considerable disruption over the week of February 21. I would therefore urge all bus passengers, and other road users who visit the town centre, to pay attention to the temporary diversion routes which are being put in place.

“We thank everyone for their patience, particularly local businesses, whilst this important work takes place.”

The Council’s Highways Team will use bedding mortar and a jointing compound which requires curing time to achieve full strength.

Work will continue into the weekend if required in order to complete the works as quickly as possible and to minimise disruption at the important junction.

While the traffic order allows for a closure until Sunday February 27, the council expects that the works can be completed quicker.