Published on
15 December 2025
Construction dates confirmed for new sustainable travel link
Throughout 2026, the council will be building a new walking and cycling route from Woodley to Reading thanks to funding from the Government
Scroll to the bottom for road closure dates and diversion routes
Work on a new walking and cycling route between Woodley town centre and Palmer Park, at the Reading Borough boundary, is expected to start on Monday 26 January.
The scheme, shaped by extensive public consultation, will improve opportunities for healthier and more sustainable travel on this key corridor and should be completed by the end of 2026.
It will run along Woodlands Avenue, Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane, with some sections of segregated cycleway, and will join links to central Reading including bus routes and cycle lanes.
It will improve access to amenities like the shops, library and Beechwood Primary School at Woodley precinct as well as Bulmershe School, Addington School and Bulmershe Leisure Centre off Woodlands Avenue.
The design includes additional pedestrian crossings, with new foot crossings at side roads which will reinforce the existing pedestrian and cycle priority over motor traffic.
The scheme is funded by Active Travel England and is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to improve walking and cycling links between its communities.
It also supports the council’s climate emergency goals and overarching ambition to work towards a fair, green, safe and connected borough.
Find out more and stay updated
The council’s partners at VolkerHighways will work on Woodlands Avenue in sections to build the route, starting at the eastern end of Woodlands Avenue and working towards Palmer Park.
They’ll be using temporary traffic management measures, including temporary traffic lights and, where necessary, road closures with diversions to keep everyone safe and the works running smoothly.
Vehicle access to properties may be restricted at times, and the construction team will keep residents informed. Pedestrian access will generally be open, but may sometimes be restricted for safety reasons.
The Woodlands Avenue works should be finished by mid-August, and the teams will do all they can to work quickly and safely while minimising inconvenience. However, it could take longer if there are unforeseen circumstances like bad weather.
There will be advance warning signs on site and further details, including maps with diversion routes and up-to-date schedules, are available on the project webpage.
Further works on Church Road and Culver Lane will be starting over the summer, with dates and additional details to be confirmed.
Residents and businesses can get the latest updates by subscribing to the council’s Moving Around the Borough newsletter.
Towards a greener connected borough
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’d like to thank everyone whose feedback helped us improve the final design and we’re delighted to be ready to start work.
“We expect this will be a well-used route that will encourage residents of all ages to embrace the ease and convenience of walking, cycling and wheeling over other ways of travelling. This will reduce vehicle traffic at peak times, easing congestion on our roads for those who wish to drive.
“We want to make it safe and attractive for people to walk, wheel and cycle for local trips and we’ve set out a vision to achieve this through our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.
“While this scheme is being built, please be assured that we’ll communicate about the works as far ahead as we can and will also do our utmost to keep disruption to a minimum.”
The speed limit is set to be reduced from 30mph to 20mph on some sections, including some traffic calming measures. This follows best practice to make the route both feel and be safer for all road users.
Residents were consulted on the new speed limit in the autumn and feedback is being reviewed, with the next steps decided soon.
If agreed, the 20mph limit will apply on Woodlands Avenue from the zebra crossing near the shops until just past Fairwater Drive. It will also apply to all of Palmerstone Road and on Culver Lane from the Reading borough boundary to just beyond Palmerstone Road.
Closure dates on Woodlands Avenue
26 January: Lytham Road to Roslyn Road - diversion via Howth Drive, Beechwood Avenue, Lytham Road
11 March: Roslyn Road to Woodwaye - diversion via Howth Drive, Beechwood Avenue, Lytham Road
21 April: Woodwaye to Howth Drive - diversion via Howth Drive, Beechwood Avenue, Lytham Road
23 May: Howth Drive to Fairwater Drive - diversion via Fairwater Drive, Nightingale Road, Crockhamwell Road (eastbound) or via Lytham Road, Beechwood Avenue (westbound)
16 June: Crockhamwell Road to Lytham Road - diversion via Fairwater Drive, Nightingale Road, Crockhamwell Road. Lytham Road access: via Crockhamwell Road, Loddon Bridge Road, Headley Road
4 July: Town Street to Lytham Road - diversion via Crockhamwell Road, Loddon Bridge Road, Headley Road, Lytham Road
15 July: Fairwater Drive including Howth Drive to Bulmershe School entrance - diversion via Church Road, Pitts Lane, Reading Road, Howth Drive. For access to Woodlands Avenue: diversion via Crockhamwell Road, Nightingale Road
Dates shown in linked permits may differ slightly, but the dates above are the expected works dates. These are subject to change due to circumstances like the weather.
