Six councils have joined forces to oppose a project that would see a third bridge built over the Thames to alleviate traffic on each side of the river.
The prospect of a third Thames crossing has stretched back decades, as the existing crossings in Reading itself are limited.
Currently, traffic can either use Reading Bridge or Caversham Bridge to get to either side of the River Thames.
Christchurch Bridge was opened in 2015, which only pedestrians and cyclists can use.
The only alternatives for traffic is to cross much further away at Pangbourne to the west or Sonning to the east.
Therefore the possibility of a third crossing in the Reading area has long been suggested to alleviate traffic across the two existing bridges.
A feasible design would see a new crossing established between Thames Valley Park in Earley, Wokingham Borough and the junction of Caversham Park Road and Henley Road, on the borough boundary with South Oxfordshire.
The prospect of this crossing being built is contained in Reading Borough Council's transport strategy 2040.
However, the crossing has long faced opposition in South Oxfordshire, with six parish councils joining forces to torpedo plans for a third bridge.
The Kidmore End, Eye & Dunsden, Binfield Heath, Stoke Row, Sonning Common and Highmoor Parish councils devised a joint petition calling for the third crossing to be removed from the transport strategy 2040.
READ MORE: Wokingham Borough Council backs Reading push for third Thames Bridge
However, the appeal appears to have been rebuffed by the council's Labour administration remains committed to the possibility of a new crossing to alleviate traffic.
John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, has explained that increasing bus use by introducing park-and-ride services north of the river would play a crucial part in bringing traffic levels down.
He identified the A4074 Upper Woodcote Road, the B481 Peppard Road and the A4155 Henley Road as locations where bus services could be enhanced.
However, he argued that buses would still fall afoul of heavy traffic when crossing the existing bridges, therefore a third crossing would be helpful to alleviate pressure on the road network.
Cllr Ennis said: "The delivery of these park and ride facilities would help to reduce demand for traffic crossing the River Thames; and would therefore help to alleviate some of the issues set out in the Strategy.
"However, they would not resolve the issues of sometimes slow and unreliable bus journey times which are impacted by congestion over the existing river crossings, nor would they provide an alternative route for through-traffic which is not seeking to stop within Reading."
Cllr Ennis acknowledged that any new park and rides would have to be located in South Oxfordshire.
He also clearly stated that opposition to a bridge from South Oxfordshire had been acknowledged within the strategy.
Reading Borough Council is also part of The Cross Thames Travel Group which has been formed to develop options to improve travel across the
Thames.
The petition by the parishes was briefly mentioned at a full meeting of Reading Borough Council. Cllr Ennis' answer was written.
Ultimately, the council's transport strategy 2040 was approved at the meeting on Tuesday, October 15.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel