Last updated:
8th May 2025
Woodley cycle route design
Following our most recent consultation, our designers reviewed all of the responses and produced a design that addresses most of the points raised but also meets the requirements of our funding body, Active Travel England (ATE). The latest changes to the plans are outlined below.
Woodlands Avenue East (Woodley town centre to Howth Drive)
1. A 2.3 cycle track along the northern side of Woodlands Avenue taking space from existing verges. The carriageway will be retained as a two-way 5.5 metres wide in response to residents’ concerns over the previous proposals which suggested either narrowing to 5 metres or a one-way section. The verges and existing footway on the south side will be largely kept, except for a narrow section of verge between Woodwaye and Howth Drive; along the route will also be improved.
2. An uncontrolled crossing leading to the path to Woodwaye will be provided on a raised table following stakeholder requests.
3. Continuous footway crossings at each side road to encourage drivers to give way to pedestrians would be kept, following overall agreement in our latest consultation (60%).
4. The mini-roundabout on Howth Drive will become a T-junction with a cycle track crossing. The lay-by parking opposite will be reduced to one vehicle space to facilitate any turning movements at the new junction layout while improving drainage in a more sustainable way.
5. Subject to Reading Borough Council agreeing, we aim to plant on green space next to Howth Drive to make up for the loss of trees following overall support for this proposal (76% of the consultation respondents agreed with the proposal to include new areas of planting and greenery).
Woodlands Ave West (Howth Drive to Church Road)
6. Existing shared use path will be retained and if possible, widened to 4 metres. This is based on feedback that the present shared use provision is sufficient, whist it was also proposed during a value engineering workshop with ATE to reduce scheme costs and enable us to deliver the entire route.
7. The Addington School entrance will be retained with priority provided to pedestrians and cyclists over vehicular traffic.
8. Zebra crossings along this section of Woodlands Avenue will be provided on shallow raised table to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and reinforce the 20mph speed limit. 68% of the consultation respondents agreed with the proposal to create new and improved crossing points, while more crossing points was one of the ways mentioned that would encourage people to cycle and walk more in this area.
9. Existing laybys will be retained following stakeholders’ concerns about the removal of parking spaces.
Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane
10. In our previous consultation, people expressed a preference for Palmerstone Road over Anderson Avenue, we are therefore keeping the route along Palmerstone Road.
11. The cycle track stops at the Palmerstone Road junction and a continuous footway crossing has been adjusted to tie into the existing layout
12. The speed limit on Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane will also be reduced to 20 mph following overall agreement to this proposed element, all side road junctions on the south side of Culver Lane will be improved to give cyclists and pedestrians priority. 55% of consultation respondents agreed with the proposal to reduce the speed limit along Woodlands Avenue, Palmer Road and Culver Lane to 20mph
13. Double yellow lines will be painted to restrict parking along Culver Lane
14. Existing parking bays west of Culver Lane will be retained whilst a short section of shared use route is now proposed following stakeholders’ requests. Due to the narrow road under the bridge, a giveway system to oncoming traffic is proposed
