Caversham residents are facing years of traffic disruption after plans for 223 homes were approved.
Reading Borough Council greenlit the project at Reading Golf Course in 2022, with details of the construction project being approved at a meeting this March with Conservative councillors warning that construction traffic could cause queues.
The councillors were particularly worried about construction vehicles going up and down Kidmore End Road, which is a narrow residential character leading to the golf course site.
Conservative Emmer Green councillors suggested that construction traffic should enter into the site by heading north into Kidmore End Road then turn left out of the site and loop through less busy roads to avoid disruption.
But instead, Reading Borough Council and development company Vistry are currently entering and leaving the site by using the stretch of Kidmore End Road between the White Horse Pub and the old golf course.
READ MORE: Reading Golf Club plan for hundreds of homes moves ahead despite traffic concerns
In order for there to be space for construction traffic to move, a ‘passing point’ has been created which has resulted in the loss of a total of eight parking spaces.
Of those, four unrestricted spaces in front of terraced homes have been taken, and four two hour parking spaces have also been temporarily removed by Reading Borough Council using a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO).
The council said parking restrictions were imposed on Tuesday, August 22, with restrictions set to last until Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
The parking spaces are unavailable from 8am to 4.30pm on weekdays excluding bank holidays.
Conservative councillors have suggested that construction traffic should instead utilise a one-way system which would see vehicles leaving the site from the north.
Cllr Simon Robinson (Conservative, Emmer Green) had suggested that construction traffic could exit the site using a service gate previously used by the golf club for deliveries.
However, that access point is too narrow for construction vehicles to use.
A spokesperson for the council explained: “A current secondary access onto Kidmore End Road cannot be used as it is too narrow and bounded by trees, which are to be retained, on either side and utilising this access would create a significant risk of damage to the trees.”
While Conservative suggestions for a one-way system have been considered, work would need to take place on the existing access to the site.
The council spokesperson said: “During discussions with Vistry Homes, it was agreed that a TTRO would be required during the initial phase.
“An informal one-way loop system for construction vehicles only has been proposed, with vehicles entering via Kidmore End Road and exiting via Courtenay Drive.
“Vistry Homes are keen to adhere to this proposal once a suitable access can be provided that facilitates a left turn out of the site.”
While cllr Clarence Mitchell (Conservative, Emmer Green) has been pushing for a one-way system to relieve traffic in Kidmore End Road, Vistry has to conduct widening works on its existing access which are predicted to take six weeks.
Cllr Mitchell and his fellow councillors are in the process of organising a public meeting to discuss traffic concerns with Vistry and neighbours.
Conservative councillors were hoping for the one-way system established following a meeting with the council’s highways team on July 28, but it was later established that a left turning out of the site could only be undertaken once the existing access was widened.
Vistry has called the development Emmer Green Drive.
A spokesperson for Vistry said: “As part of the planning agreement for our Emmer Green Drive development, a number of highway safety initiatives have been agreed. These are included in the Construction Method Statement.
“This requires us to apply for a TTRP to create passing places along Kidmore End Road.
“At a later stage, once the new access point to the development has been created, a one-way system will be introduced for construction traffic at the request of Reading Borough Council.”
Disruption was also caused earlier this month when a ‘road closed’ sign emerged in Kidmore End Road, which related to the closure of Chalkhouse Green Lane by South Oxfordshire District Council.
However, that road has since been reopened and was not related to work on the Golf Course site.
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