Changes are set to the road layout at an estate in Reading which is undergoing a controversial housing development and parking has proven a persistent issue.

The Coley Park estate is currently undergoing a Reading Borough Council project to build 46 affordable homes in Wensley Road.

The new homes are being built in the place of 29 garages, which attracted complaints from neighbours about the loss of parking and storage facilities.

During the construction work, the Krykant couple who live in the Wensley Road Loop have accused the development of causing a 'mess' and creating 'parking chaos' due to the loss of space and construction traffic.

Now the council is preparing to make rule changes in the loop in an effort to clamp down on uncontrolled parking and slow traffic down.

A CGI of the Reading Borough Council development in Wensley Road, Coley, with 46 homes being built. Credit: Reading Borough CouncilA CGI of the Reading Borough Council development in Wensley Road, Coley, with 46 homes being built. Credit: Reading Borough Council

Changes involve imposing no waiting and no loading parking restrictions, meaning drivers are not allowed to park outside of designated bays, a new bus stop and pedestrian crossing.

These were submitted for a public consultation, with three people raising objections, with one neighbour complaining that a speed hump had been placed right outside their dropped kerb which helps them get into and out of their home.

An updated design was therefore prepared changing the speed hump to a speed cushion and relocating it away from the dropped crossing.

Paul and Suzanna Krykant claim the parking problems in Wensley Road, Coley have created 'mudbaths'.Paul and Suzanna Krykant claim the parking problems in Wensley Road, Coley have created 'mudbaths'. (Image: Paul and Suzanna Krykant)

These changes were discussed at a meeting of the council's traffic management sub-committee.

John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), the lead councillor for transport, asked why the highways team had replaced speed humps with speed cushions.

Darren Cook, the council's transport development control manager replied that the design had to be changed to not conflict with parking bays.

Mr Cook said: "We've changed it so it has less impact on vehicles in the proposed parking bays.

"Otherwise vehicles could reverse out, get damage to their vehicles, damage to the hump, and then there's liability for the council."

Cllr Will Cross (Labour, Redlands) said: "Cllr Gittings (Labour, Coley) on behalf of Coley colleagues has advised that he feels that it is a good scheme and he is grateful that the objectors have been contacted."

During the consultation, the project received an objection from the infrastructure and contracts manager of Reading Buses who raised concerns that the pedestrian crossing in front of the Coley Park bus stop would 'significantly reduce visibility' for pedestrians and drivers when a bus has stopped.

A council highways officer contacted the manager stating a road safety audit was undertaken with the crossing not being identified as an area of concern.

Some of the new homes in the process of being built by contractors for Reading Borough Council in Wensley Road, Coley. Credit: Google MapsSome of the new homes in the process of being built by contractors for Reading Borough Council in Wensley Road, Coley. Credit: Google Maps

Ultimately, councillors unanimously decided to undertake a statutory consultation into the adjustments at the traffic management sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, September 11.

Once the consultation is complete, the council's assistant director of legal and democratic services will be given the power to make the legal traffic regulation order needed to implement the changes.

The construction project for the affordable homes in Wensley Road is due to be completed this year.