Reading transport strategy for 2040 carried forward

The Reading Transport Strategy 2040 contains a range of policies, including installing more bus and cycle lanes, and potential charges for cars with higher pollution levels.

The policies and ambitions the council's officers had devised were discussed at a recent council meeting.

Supporting the strategy, John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for the climate emergency and transport said: "We're creating a vision of what Reading will look like in 2040.

"That's almost like going back to 2008 to what today looks like, if you think back.

"I'll be 77 years of age then for God's sake! That's a massive period."

He added that the strategy is linked to the council's goal of getting to net zero carbon emissions by 2030, which involves encouraging 'modal shift' away from cars to buses and active travel.

However, the council's Labour administration has ruled out an ultra low emission zone (ULEZ).

Cllr Ennis said: "For those who don't need to drive I think we need to offer them an alternative.

"We're not banning the car.  The car is often a liberating and safe form of travel."

The strategy contains an ambition to double cycling, but it was felt that more emphasis could have been placed on creating a joined-up cycle network.

Cllr Wendy Griffith (Labour, Battle) said: "I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on cycling infrastructure.

"Not only is that positive for clean air which we'll all benefit from, but for our individual health and mental health, and for some an economic benefit, it's a cheap commute.

"Children who cycle become adults who cycle, so children should be encouraged more in active travel."

The cycle lane in Sidmouth Street. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Cllr Stephen Goss (Conservative, Emmer Green), a cyclist himself, argued that the current cycle network is 'far from ideal', and that a shared network 'works for no one'.

He therefore welcomed the ambitions laid out in the strategy.

However, cllr Goss did raise concerns about proposals to charge drivers of polluting cars more to park.

Cllr Meri O'Connell (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) acknowledged that the road network in Reading has grown organically and is constrained by its development through history.

She also reflected that European countries like Holland had an opportunity for city transport infrastructure planning after the Second World War.

Cllr O'Connell joked: "God yeah, I would love for it to be more ambitious, but following a bombing!"

She also recognised that there is 'no miracle cure' to the town's transport issues.

The strategy had come in for criticism from cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands), who accused the council of greenwashing and failing to consider a ULEZ.

READ MORE: Strategy for walking, driving and cycling in Reading for the next16 years slammed by Greens

However, cllr McElroy had sent his apologies for not being able to attend the meeting.

In his stead, cllr Sarah Magon (Green, Park) said: "We feel the aspirations of this plan are really good, but we feel it's lacking in substantive action which is really needed and without this the strategy won't come to fruition."

She added that she supported the council's suggested policies of increasing revenue from traffic enforcement and the prospect of congestion charging.

In two votes, councillors unanimously agreed to make suggested amendments to the strategy and bring it forward for all councillors to approve at the traffic management sub-committee meeting on Thursday, June 27.