Ultra Low Emission Zone ruled out in Reading

But residents views are wanted over how the shape the future of the town’s transportation to meet climate and air quality goals.

Reading Borough Council has launched a public consultation for its transport strategy for 2040.

But Councillor John Ennis was keen to stress this was not about implementing a ULEZ zone.

There is a growing number of ‘Clean Air Zones’ in the UK where cities have implemented restrictions on car and van drivers.

In London, drivers of certain cars have to pay £12.50 a day to drive in the city.

Reading Borough Council says it wants to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and achieve the council’s net zero carbon emissions target through its new transportation strategy.

And one of its key objectives will be encouraging people not to drive and to use alternatives to cars.

Lead cabinet member for transportation Cllr Ennis (Labour, Southcote), said: “We’re trying to encourage alternatives to the car not eradicating them, by walking, cycling or taking a bus.

“Car ownership has doubled and it can be a struggle. We are having more developments, if everybody had a car that would cause an even bigger problem.

“A lot of people need their vehicles, and it’s about the nature of that vehicle, encouraging more efficient ones, or can they use other forms of transport.

“We want to encourage people to become more active.”

Under proposals, the council could increase parking charges for ‘highly polluting vehicles’, charge people for ‘low occupancy’ polluting vehicles and re-design road space to make way for new cycle and bus lanes.

The two inbound lanes in London Road, Reading. Credit: Google Maps

However, the council would stop short of introducing a congestion charge, Cllr Ennis said.

The councillor said: “It is not penalising drivers, we are encouraging people to think about travel so there can be reasonable discussions about transport 17 years into the future.

He confirmed: “There is no plan for an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in Reading.”

He also mentioned the long-running discussions about the establishment of a third Thames bridge, which would relieve pressure on the Reading and Caversham bridges and allow drivers to bypass the town.

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The council also wants to encourage the switch to electric car use by increasing the number of charging points at council car parks, and on-street and identifying the best places for these charging points near amenities such as hospitals, visitor attractions and transport hubs.

The council is engaging in a statutory consultation for the Reading Transport Strategy 2040 which closes on December 11.

You can fill out an online survey on the council’s Consult Reading website. You can also email transport@reading.gov.uk.