An ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) that would force drivers of older cars to pay to use their vehicles in Reading has officially been ruled out.

Reading Borough Council's Labour administration has been planning what getting about will look like in the town in the next 16 years.

For that, it has devised the transport strategy 2040, laying out how travel will work for pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and bus and train passengers.

The strategy contains a range of measures which include enhancing bus services, walking and cycling routes and electric vehicle charging throughout the town. But a ULEZ has been ruled out.

These measures were discussed at a full council meeting.

John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) lead councillor for climate strategy and transport introduced the strategy.

He said: "I believe it's an excellent, ambitious, comprehensive document that's got nearly everything in it.

"The vision is to deliver a sustainable transport system in Reading, that's attractive, green and vibrant, with neighbourhoods that promote healthy choices, wellbeing and mobility options that enable everyone to thrive and enjoy an exceptional quality of life.

"It's an exceptional vision, and it's off the back of the climate emergency many of us signed in 2019."

John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for climate strategy and transport on Reading Borough Council. John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for climate strategy and transport on Reading Borough Council. (Image: Reading Borough Council)

He added that the objectives of the strategy will contribute to the council's quest for net zero greenhouse emissions by 2030.

Councillor Ennis stressed that the strategy recognises that the private car will still be an important mode of travel for many people in Reading, while trying to make the alternatives as attractive as possible.

Despite broad support, cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands) criticised the council for ruling out a ULEZ.

He said: "All solutions need to be looked at, even the politically unfavourable ones, especially when you have such a large majority, and an opposition that would not hold that against you."

He then listed what he saw as a series of failures.

Cllr McElroy said: "Bike lanes to nowhere, bus lanes that buses can't actually get into, incomplete projects that just run out of money,  and 100 years of talking about a Third Thames crossing."

He also quipped that the third bridge debate had outlasted veteran councillor Tony Page, who stepped down from the council after 51 years of service and was in the public gallery.

Summing up, cllr McElroy said: "Whilst we expect this strategy to fail, because of the aims, we support it, and we genuinely hope that it doesn't fail."

Meanwhile, cllr Anne Thompson (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) argued a third Thames bridge would be "a waste of effort" as the ideal location for it is outside of Reading, spanning Earley in Wokingham Borough and South Oxfordshire.

A design for a Third Thames Bridge which would link Thames Valley Park in Earley with Caversham.A design for a Third Thames Bridge which would link Thames Valley Park in Earley with Caversham.

Cllr Ennis replied that a strategy needs to be devised to ease traffic in Caversham, which a bridge would help with.

He said: "It's virtually impossible to get round at times. If we could take 18-20 per cent of traffic coming in with no destination in Reading, I think we'd have a chance."

Praising the strategy, cllr Jennie McGrother (Labour, Caversham Heights) said that its 'golden thread' was integrating the 'genuine needs' of people in Caversham into it.

Ultimately, the strategy was approved for adoption on Tuesday, October 15.

Along with the ULEZ in London, there are also clean air zones that regulate the use of cars in Birmingham and Bristol.