Reading's pavements set for comprehensive improvements

Pavements around Reading are set to benefit from a comprehensive programme of surfacing improvements as part of an investment of £9m in residential roads and pavements across the borough. The work is being funded by Reading Borough Council’s Capital Programme to improve conditions for residents.

The extensive pavement works have begun this week, fulfilled by Reading Borough Council’s Highways team, and will continue until the end of March 2021. This will conclude the first phase of improvements, which will be scheduled over the next three years. Prioritising the pavements most in need of repair means that those which require reconstruction will be the initial focus, with sections of pavements in those roads being repaired. These are listed below, with 10 of Reading’s 16 wards set to benefit from the first phase of work which sees £250,000 of improvements to the 17 most damaged pavements in the borough over the next five months.

This complements the wide reaching three-year programme of resurfacing residential roads which began in September and will recommence in spring as it cannot be performed over the winter due to adverse weather conditions. The projects were driven by the results of a Citizens Panel survey conducted by the Council in November 2018, which revealed that over 50% of respondents listed ‘better roads and pavements’ as top of their lists for improvements. A further scheme of major road resurfacing has been completed this week, which has seen resurfacing work on 18 major arterial routes across the Borough. Erleigh Road will be the subject of additional resurfacing work in the spring.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:
“We are pleased that pavement reconstruction and resurfacing is an important element of our street improvements for residents. Along with the major and residential road resurfacing projects this is all part of a concerted effort to make life easier for residents whether they walk, cycle or drive around town. Despite the difficult economic climate, investing in transport routes to help all residents remains a key priority for Reading Borough Council”.

List of roads in which sections of pavement will be reconstructed between November 2020 and March 2021 as part of the first phase of pavement/footway improvements:

No. Pavement / Footway Name Ward
1 Aldeburgh Close Peppard
2 Blandford Road Whitley
3 Bourne Avenue Katesgrove
4 Bridgewater Close Battle
5 Deacon Way Kentwood
6 Dovedale Close Thames
7 Dulverton Gardens Church
8 Erleigh Road Redlands
9 Highmead Close Church
10 Hollydale Close Church
11 Lancaster Close Redlands
12 School Terrace Park
13 The Mount Redlands
14 Venetia Close Peppard
15 Westcote Road Minster
16 Willow Gardens Church
17 Woolacombe Drive Church