Improvements to cycling and walking along Shinfield Road are progressing well, with the first sections of the cycle lane nearing completion.

The cycle lane from Chancellor’s Way junction to Pepper Lane will be completed by the end of March. The rest of Reading Council’s plans on track to be completed by the end of summer, with more sections being open sooner.

The works, which started in October 2022, will see a new cycle route along Shinfield Road, between Christchurch Green and Shinfield Rise. It will link south Reading and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the University of Reading and Reading town centre.

The new route will link existing cycle routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, which is part of Reading Council’s Active Travel programme.

Bracknell News:

Following the completion of Chancellor’s Way junction to Pepper Lane, work will continue from Pepper Lane to Cressingham Road, followed by Cressingham Road down to Shinfield Rise.

Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Cllr Tony Page, said: “I’m pleased at the progress we’ve made so far on our work to introduce a fully segregated new cycle lane along the Shinfield Road. The segregated cycle lane links to key centres of employment in Reading, such as the Royal Berkshire Hospital, The University and, of course, the Town Centre itself.

“As part of our wider Climate Emergency Strategy, this work underlines the Council’s wholehearted commitment to tackling poor air quality which we know exists in parts of Reading. It has never been more important to create realistic alternatives to the private car, not only in terms of tackling congestion and air quality but also for the residents and local communities who live on key routes.

"We have achieved significant improvements in other areas, including the routes on Redlands Road and Christchurch Road, delivered as part of the first phase of funding. We have also just submitted our bid for Tranche 4 funding to the Department for Transport – and we should find out if we’ve been successful by the end of March. This funding would then enable us to make improvements at the junction of Sidmouth Street and Queens Road to provide safer cycle links through to Kennet Side.”

Increasing Active Travel remains a top priority for the Council. In February, the Council submitted its bid for £588k of active travel funding from the Department for Transport. If successful, this would bring forward the plans to link pedestrian and cycle facilities across the IDR junction.

The Council is also working towards the creation of a bike hub in the centre of the town and continues to invest in free cycle courses for residents.