Reading Council awarded £1.1m from the Department for Transport to create new permanent cycle lanes

Image credit: Piqsels

Reading Council have announced that they have been awarded £1.179 million to create permanent new cycle schemes to make travelling by bike in Reading “easier in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond”.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The 100% Active Travel funding award from the DfT is a real vote of confidence in us to successfully deliver permanent new schemes, as many local authorities around the country received less money than they expected.

“We are now waiting on full guidance from the Department for Transport before finalising which of the proposed cycle schemes to bring forward, some of which would be fully segregated from traffic and would provide key ‘missing links’ across the town.

“Before any final decision are taken however, it is important to say we intend to consult widely with local communities, including local residents and businesses, and all road users, including cyclists, motorists, bus passengers and pedestrians, as well as the emergency services.“

The new schemes are in addition to temporary cycle schemes already in place at a number of locations across Reading as part of the first phase of the council’s Active Travel programme.