The Traffic Management Sub-Committee of Reading Council met on 11 September 2025 to discuss a number of traffic-related issues, including petitions for pedestrian crossings, a review of waiting restrictions, and an update on rectifying traffic regulation orders. The committee was also scheduled to discuss applications for discretionary parking permits, but the public and press were excluded from this part of the meeting.

Petitions

The meeting included discussion of two petitions requesting new pedestrian crossings.

One petition requested a controlled pedestrian crossing at the junction of Westfield Road, Peppard Road, Prospect Street and Henley Road, known as the Last Crumb Junction. The report pack noted that a petition with 1,855 signatures had been submitted to the council requesting the crossing. The report pack stated that officers considered that such changes would require substantial funding that had not yet been identified, and that the request was one of over 130 other entries for which there was also local demand, but as yet no identified funding.

The second petition concerned Wokingham Road, near the Hamilton Road bus stop. The report pack stated that a petition with 180 signatures had been submitted to the council requesting the crossing. The report pack stated that officers considered the requested crossing to be in the context of risk reduction, rather than casualty reduction/road safety, as there were no recorded incidents on Wokingham Road between the junctions of Hamilton Road and Bulmershe Road within the latest 3-years period. The report pack recommended that a new request entry be proposed onto the next update of the 'Requests for Traffic Management Measures' report, which is expected to be at the November 2025 meeting of this Sub-Committee.

Waiting Restriction Review Programme

The report pack included a report seeking approval for officers to undertake statutory consultation for recommended new or alterations to waiting restrictions as part of the 2024B programme. These proposals aim to address the issues raised in the initial list of requests, which were reported to and agreed for investigation by the Sub-Committee at their meeting in September 2024.

The report pack also stated that officers were seeking agreement to remove the fixed 5 minute observation periods currently being practiced for single-yellow, and double-yellow line enforcement.

The report pack included a table summarising the requests and officer recommendations. Some of the requests included:

• A request to review parking restrictions on Valpy Street to allow enough time for pick up and drop off for the Little Pioneers Co-op Nursery. The officer recommendation was that additional bays or changes to restrictions are not feasible, but that an existing loading bay around the corner in The Forbury could have its operating times amended so nursery users can stop in it for a period of up to 20 minutes during the day, including peak hours.
• A request to review the existing restrictions at the southern end of Beresford Road, close to its junction with Oxford Road, due to issues caused by parked vehicles. The officer recommendation was that a section of the existing single yellow line should be converted to a full time double yellow line to help reduce disruption to traffic flow in and out of the junction.
• A request to install double yellow lines to prevent parking on Rufus Isaacs Road, near its junction with Henley Road. The officer recommendation was that a gap in the restrictions on the west side that allows parking for two or three cars should be closed with a No Waiting At Any Time restriction.
• A request to extend the existing double yellow lines at the junction of Linden Road and Beech Road. The officer recommendation was to extend the current No Waiting At Any Time restrictions on Beech Road to the west and east of Linden Road.
• A request for double yellow lines at the bottom of the hill on the inner side of the bend on Windermere Road because it's a blind spot and parked vehicles create an additional hazard. The officer recommendation was to add a new No Waiting At Any Time restriction on the bend to help with visibility in the area.
• A request to extend the existing 2hr parking zone to cover the entire length of the park on Long Barn Lane to curb long term parking of vehicles awaiting repair. The officer recommendation was to install new parking bays along the front of the park, with a gap in-between to allow access for recycling collection vehicles, with the new bays having the same time controls as the existing adjacent bays and the gap having a No Waiting At Any Time restriction, and a small section of additional double yellow lines on the north west side, to prevent vehicles parking on the pavement.
• A request to extend the existing double yellow lines close to its junction with Maitland Road on Downshire Square due to vehicles obstructing resident driveways. The officer recommendation was to extend the existing No Waiting At Any Time restriction along the east side.
• A request for double yellow lines near the path to Western Road on Reservoir Crescent. The officer recommendation was for new No Waiting At Any Time restrictions on both sides around the bend to prevent obstruction on the roadway and ensure access to the footpath.
• A request to extend the existing double yellow lines along Rossendale Road to prevent double parking which is causing issues with visibility and blocking traffic. The officer recommendation was to extend the existing No Waiting At Any Time restriction along the east side.
• A request for double yellow lines to prevent obstruction of Willow View due to parking on the footpath and carriageway on Henley Road (south side) – between all Hallows Road to Micklands Road. The officer recommendation was for new Waiting At Any Time restrictions on both sides of Willow View and either side of the junction to improve visibility splays.
• A request for double yellow lines on the access road to St. Barnabas Church on Grove Road to prevent damage on the verges and improve safety for pedestrians. The officer recommendation was to remove this from the programme, as there are existing double yellow lines on the highway which apply to the pavement and verge, and the issues raised by the resident have also been shared with our enforcement team.
• A request for additional restrictions on the north side of Cradock Road, between both of its junctions with Boulton Road, to address issues caused by parked vehicles. The officer recommendation was to convert the existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines to help with enforcement of parking on the north side.
• A request for double yellow lines on the road opposite the entrance of 5 Boulton Rd on Boulton Road to prevent damage and obstruction of the gate. The officer recommendation was to install some additional double yellow lines to help ensure that large vehicles can manoeuvre and access the off-street parking areas.
• A request for a loading ban near its junction with Ella Garrett Close on Northumberland Avenue 1 due to issues caused by vehicles parking during school pick up and drop off. The officer recommendation was to extend School Keep Clear markings to help prevent issues caused by vehicles parking here during school pick up and drop off times.
• A request to extend the existing 2hr parking zone to cover the entire length of the park to curb long term parking of vehicles awaiting repair on Long Barn Lane. The officer recommendation was to install new parking bays along the front of the park, with a gap in-between to allow access for recycling collection vehicles, with the new bays having the same time controls as the existing adjacent bays and the gap having a No Waiting At Any Time restriction, and a small section of additional double yellow lines is also proposed on the north west side, to prevent vehicles parking on the pavement.
• A request for double yellow lines near the roundabout on Northumberland Avenue 2 due to issues caused by parked vehicles during the school pick up/drop off period. The officer recommendation was to install some new double yellow lines and to convert a section of the existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines, to help prevent issues caused by vehicles parking on this junction.
• A request for double yellow lines on the south side of the road, near Armour Walk on Armour Hill due to obscured visibility caused by parking at this site. The officer recommendation was to install a new No Waiting At Any Time restriction across the entrance to Amour Walk to ensure there is good visibility at this junction.
• A request for additional restrictions near the Norcot Road junction on Broomfield Road due to issues caused by vehicles parking partially on the pavement. The officer recommendation was to remove this from the programme, as the installation of restrictions here would restrict resident and visitor parking and could cause displacement issues further up the road, and there are existing restrictions in place to protect the junction.
• A request for double yellow lines on Dulnan Close to prevent dangerous and obstructive parking which has prevented waste collection vehicles from accessing the area. The officer recommendation was to install new No Waiting At Any Time restrictions along both sides up to the car park area.
• A request to remove the 2-hour restriction on Bank Holidays on Constitution Road to allow unrestricted parking for residents, when the nearby Surgery is closed. The officer recommendation was to modify the existing time restrictions to exclude bank holidays.
• A request to extend one of the existing loading bays near the shops on 85-87 Wokingham Road due to limited space, safety concerns, and operational delays. The officer recommendation was to extend the existing loading bay outside no 85 by converting and incorporating the parking space outside no. 83.
• A request to reduce the length of a parking bay near the garaging area on The Mount due to access challenges faced by refuse trucks. The officer recommendation was to remove 1 car parking space (5 metres) at the end of an existing bay to help improve access for the refuse vehicle.
• A request for a loading ban to curb parking by parents picking up children from the nearby school on Malvern Court. The officer recommendation was to install a full time No Loading / Unloading At Any Time restriction along both sides, from the junction with Addington Road down to the car park area.
• A request to increase the number of 'permit holder only' parking bays on Watlington Street as residents are struggling to find spaces to park. The officer recommendation was to remove some double yellow lines to allow for 1 additional permit holder parking space outside the Methodist Church Hall and another permit holder space outside the Polish Catholic Church, to increase the number of resident parking on this road.
• A request for double yellow lines near the roundabout due to issues caused by parked vehicles during the school pick up/drop off period on Northumberland Avenue 2. The officer recommendation was to install some new double yellow lines and to convert a section of the existing single yellow lines to double yellow lines, to help prevent issues caused by vehicles parking on this junction.
• A request for an extension of the existing double yellow lines on Southcote Road, as vehicles parking on both sides of the road are blocking traffic and limiting visibility for drivers. The officer recommendation was to install some new No Waiting At Any Time restrictions on the east side of the road near its junction with Bath Road, removing parking spaces in the area, as officers have witnessed large vehicles parking here, causing visibility issues for motorists entering/leaving the area.
• A request for extension of existing double yellow lines to prevent dangerous and obstructive parking which has prevented waste collection bins from accessing the area on Penroath Avenue. The officer recommendation was to extend the existing No Waiting At Any Time restriction on the south side to help with the issues caused by obstructive parking in the area.
• A request to install a loading restriction near its junction with Gosbrook Road on Elliotts Way due to issues caused by vehicles parking for the shops. The officer recommendation was to install a No Loading / Unloading At Any Time restriction on both sides of the road from its junction with Gosbrook Road past the side of no. 63.
• A request to add a property on Orts Road to the existing permit zone 12R. The officer recommendation was to add one additional property on Orts Road to the existing permit zone 12R.
• A request for restrictions on Park Lane (between City Road and the Water Tower) due to regular parking causing traffic flow issues for both cars and buses. The officer recommendation was to remove this from the programme, as following the resent TRO rectification scheme, there is now a valid order for the verge and footway parking ban on Park Lane.
• A request for double yellow lines at the junction of Dalton Close and Aylsham Close due to visibility issues caused by the unrestricted parking. The officer recommendation was to install new No Waiting At Any Time restrictions at the junction of Dalton Close and Aylsham Close to prevent obstructions and improve junction visibility.
• A request for extension of existing double yellow lines near its junction with Westwood Road on Victoria Road due to visibility issues caused by unrestricted parking. The officer recommendation was to extend the exiting No Waiting At Any Time restrictions on both sides up to the rear of the buildings of no's 58 and 66.
• A request to remove a short section of the existing double yellow lines on the north side of the road, east of the car park on Recreation Road. This is to provide some additional parking for residents. The officer recommendation was to remove a small section of double yellow lines on the north east side of the road to allow about 2 additional parking spaces.
• A request for double yellow lines for the section just after the old Smith's Cycle Shop on Whitley Wood Lane, approximately outside property number No 132 down to property No 74 due to issues caused by vehicles parking on match days. The officer recommendation was to remove this from the programme, as the installation of yellow lines along this section will remove a number of parking spaces for residents and their visitors at all times, and could also cause displacement issues caused by vehicles parking further up the road.
• A request for waiting restrictions in Mortimer Close to prevent dangerous and obstructive parking that affects accessibility, with concerns raised regarding access for emergency service vehicles. The officer recommendation was to install some double yellow lines and a 'Keep Clear' marking at the end to prevent obstruction to access by emergency vehicles.
• A request to extend the existing yellow lines at its junction with Whitley Wood Lane on Falmouth Road to alleviate issues caused by vehicles parking, which are said to cause a hazard and damage the verge. The officer recommendation was to extend the existing No Waiting At Any Time restriction on the southside up to the boundary between no. 237 Whitley Wood Lane and no. 2 Falmouth Close.

Traffic Regulation Order Rectification

The report pack included an update on the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) rectification process.

At a Council meeting on 15 October 2024, a summary of issues relating to certain TROs was reported, and a rectification process agreed. The agreed rectification process involves advertising new, permanent TROs to address the issues identified on these TROs.

The report pack stated that the statutory consultation agreed at the meeting in June 2025 for rectifying TRO issues discovered within the Town Centre Red Route order has been undertaken, and that as no objections have been received, the TRO will be made.

The report pack also highlighted an issue discovered, and since rectified, with non-compliant yellow-line restrictions on Durham Close.

The report pack also provided an update on the Digital TRO Project, stating that the council is awaiting the outcome of a recent Government consultation regarding the potential implementation of their new regulations, and that the software supplier providing the TRO management suite has been appointed and officers are now in the early stages of onboarding, process and delivery mapping.