Work on active travel route set to start next year

A planned new walking and cycling link between Woodley town centre and the Reading borough boundary is gearing up for construction to start in early 2026.

The project will connect Woodley precinct to Palmer Park via Woodlands Avenue, Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane. The scheme has been widely consulted on and changes have been made to accommodate concerns that were raised.

To ensure this route is as safe as possible, the speed limit on two sections would be reduced from 30mph to 20mph.

In line with the council’s policies on speed limit changes, a consultation covering only the 20mph limit will run until Monday, 20 October.

Work is expected to start in January and finish in October next year, and will take place in phases. Nearer the time, the council will confirm programme dates and any traffic control that may be needed to allow construction.

Residents along the route will receive a letter, which will be available on the council’s website, and details will also be announced through the council’s online channels.

A long-term vision for sustainable travel

The new link is part of a wider effort to make walking, cycling and wheeling easier and safer for those who can, as it’s healthier and more affordable than driving.

Fewer car journeys helps reduce both air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, which are causing the climate emergency.  It also creates more space on the roads for those who need to drive.

The council held several rounds of consultation on the scheme and has made changes based on people’s feedback to ensure it worked better for everyone. These included:

• Keeping Woodlands Avenue two-way, and ensuring it is at least 5.5m wide between Howth Drive and Crockhamwell Road
• Keeping the Woodlands Avenue laybys by the park and green space
• Keeping the shared-use path on Woodlands Avenue, between the leisure centre and Church Road. It may be widened, subject to future funding
• A new shared use section under the railway bridge to Palmer Park on Culver Lane

The 20mph limit would apply to part of Woodlands Avenue from the zebra crossing near the shops through to just past the junction with Fairwater Drive.

It would also apply to all of Palmerstone Road and part of Culver Lane from the Reading borough boundary to just beyond the junction with Palmerstone Road.

The project is being funded by the Department for Transport via Active Travel England.

The scheme is a part of the council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, a long-term borough-wide strategy that was also widely consulted on.

First step in a wider campaign

Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “The Woodley to Reading scheme will make it safer for people to walk, cycle and wheel along this frequently used route. It will serve important community facilities and a busy school, and will connect into safe onward routes to central Reading.

“The plans have been many years in development with extensive community engagement, leading to a design which meets our aim of making active travel safe and attractive, while balancing the needs of everyone who travels.

“The future of our local transport system, and our ability to travel efficiently and sustainably, depends on giving people additional options to the car. 

“I’m delighted that we’re finally able to progress this scheme, realising a significant step in our ongoing commitment to walking, cycling and wheeling.”

Getting it right for everyone’s benefit

The council first consulted residents on the scheme in 2021 after securing funding, and the route was chosen from three possible options.

A second consultation was then held, which led to removing the one-way system as people felt it would be too inconvenient for drivers.

A redesigned scheme was consulted on in summer 2022, which helped to finalise the plan after further amendments. This can be viewed in detail on the council’s website.

All consultations were widely publicised through the council's own communications channels and in the local media. 

Since then, the council has been working to secure additional money for the scheme from Active Travel England, which was awarded in a fresh round of funding. 

This enabled the council to finalise the designs, which were shared at the annual Woodley Carnival this summer.

The funding is ring-fenced, so it can only be spent on this project and would have to be returned if it wasn’t.