Improvements to cycling and walking along Shinfield Road appeared to be progressing well, with the first sections of the cycle lane nearing completion, however a Reading resident has described them as ‘dangerous’ and ‘bumpy’.

The cycle lane from Chancellor’s Way junction to Pepper Lane was completed at the end of March. The rest of Reading Council’s plans on track to be completed by the end of summer, with more sections being open sooner.

The works, which started in October 2022, will see a new cycle route along Shinfield Road, between Christchurch Green and Shinfield Rise. It will link south Reading and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the University of Reading and Reading town centre.

Reading resident, Leonid Yanovich, contacted the Reading Chronicle regarding the new cycle lanes. He said: “I am a cyclist and I use my bicycle to commute. I am watching with great sadness at what transport@reading are doing along Shinfield road. A good initiative badly implemented won't work. The surface on the cycle paths they create is bumpy. It would be acceptable for a pavement but not for a cycle path. I will not cycle on this bumpy surface, which pushes me into more danger than before the ‘improvements’ on the narrow remains of the car lanes.

“The cycle paths are made as short stretches of elevated surface, causing bicycles to jump up and down from them. The cycle paths disappear before the junctions putting cyclists back into the traffic, as it was before. Hence, there is absolutely nothing that would add to the cyclists' safety to encourage more cycling. It could be proven by measuring cycling before and after, but I doubt there will be any metrics.

“I believe the only benefit of these works would be for the councillors to be able to claim that they ‘did something’. Construction of these ‘improvements’ is a waste of our funds. It also impacts the environment by producing tons of waste and from use of the machinery and materials.

“The new bumpy paths are very uncomfortable to ride on any bike unless someone is riding as slow as a pedestrian. It is not the case when you try getting as fast as you can from home to the town or back. I have to stay on the better surface of the road with the cars. That space is now narrow and more dangerous because of these ridiculous ‘improvements’.”

Read more - VIDEO: Sections of cycling lane in Reading nearing completion

Before the comments from Mr Yanovich, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Cllr Tony Page, said: “I’m pleased at the progress we’ve made so far on our work to introduce a fully segregated new cycle lane along the Shinfield Road. The segregated cycle lane links to key centres of employment in Reading, such as the Royal Berkshire Hospital, The University and, of course, the Town Centre itself.

"We have achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, delivered as part of the first phase of funding. We have also just submitted our bid for Tranche 4 funding to the Department for Transport – and we should find out if we’ve been successful by the end of March. This funding would then enable us to make improvements at the junction of Sidmouth Street and Queens Road to provide safer cycle links through to Kennet Side.”

Reading Council have been contacted for an updated comment regarding the backlash.