The fate of a cycle lane introduced as part of emergency Covid measures is up for public consultation.

The northbound lane in Sidmouth Street, closed to cars since July 2020, has split opinion, with one resident calling the cycle lane 'senseless'.

But the route could form part of a green travel initiative with cycle links to Kennet tow path, through to London Road and Wokingham Road.

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “The Council is committed to delivering  realistic alternatives to the private car across Reading, in particular for shorter journeys, which thereby benefits local air quality, people’s health and our target of net-zero carbon by 2030.

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“The Sidmouth Street cycle lane was introduced rapidly in 2020 as part of emergency Covid measures. While it remains temporary in status at this time, and already links to shared-use lanes on the London and Wokingham Roads, the real benefits of this facility sit in both the immediate and longer-term future where it will become a key link in an expanded local cycle network.

“Over the coming months we will begin construction of a key strategic new cycle route along the Shinfield Road.

“The Sidmouth Street cycle lane will be a key component linking to this new facility. Longer term, the ambition has always been to build new cycle links from Sidmouth Street, in particular, to the Kennet tow path and to improve links to the London and Wokingham Roads.

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“We will continue to look for funding opportunities to bring these improvements to fruition, as we have done successfully in the past. The reality is, however, this becomes much more difficult to achieve if the Sidmouth Street lane is removed in the short term.”

The public have the opportunity to have their say until August 10. All responses will be reported to the Council’s Traffic Management Sub-Committee at its next meeting on 14 September. The Sub-Committee will review the feedback and decide whether or not the scheme should be made permanent.