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Castle Hill / Bath Road Active Travel Scheme - Informal Consultation

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Reading Borough Council is looking at ways to improve cycling, walking and public transport on the Bath Road between Berkeley Avenue and Castle Hill; including the provision of safe, dedicated cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossing facilities along the corridor.

The Council has previously consulted on this scheme, but we are now undertaking an updated consultation after a review of the proposals following previous feedback from residents and consultation with councillors and stakeholders.

Key changes include:

  • Extension of plans from Castle Hill-IDR roundabout in to the town centre to link with existing cycle route on Cusden Walk;
  • Updated proposals for the Castle Hill-IDR roundabout taking the cycle track around the edge rather than through the middle:
  • Shift from a stepped cycle track design to one with light segregation methods, such as cycle wands or armadillos throughout the route.

Further details of the scheme are set out in the attached document, "Castle Hill / Bath Road Active Travel Scheme – Scheme Update and Light Segregation."

The Consultation is open until 5pm on Tuesday 25th August 2026.

Phases

Phases overview
Phase 1: Have your say
Have your say
Phase 2: Results & outcomes
Results & outcomes

Have your say

14 July 2026 09:00 - 25 August 2026 22:59

We have produced new concept drawings for this scheme which can be accessed below, and we are asking for feedback.

Bath Road – Castle Hill Scheme Drawings:

Full scheme drawing

  • Section 1a – Castle Street and IDR Roundabout
  • Section 1b – Castle Hill and Bath Rd Coley Avenue Junction
  • Section 1c – Bath Rd East of Downshire Square
  • Section 2a – Bath Rd West of Downshire Square
  • Section 2b – Berkeley Avenue Junction

The outline scheme for Bath Road/Castle Hill includes major improvements stretching from Berkeley Avenue, along the Bath Road to Castle Hill, then running over the IDR to Castle Street. It proposes reallocation of road space from general traffic to create segregated lanes for cyclists to and from the town centre.

These improvements will include the Bath Road / Castle Hill roundabout across the busy IDR junction and into and out of the town centre, alongside enhancements to facilities for pedestrians.

The Council has been allocated funding from Active Travel England to deliver this scheme. We are proposing to work in two phases starting at the eastern end in the town centre and progressing west along the scheme as far as Downshire Square in phase 1. Phase 2 is from Downshire Square to Southcote Lane, including the Berkeley Avenue junction and railway crossing. The delivery of Phase 1 will be prioritised with Phase 2 delivered subject to budget remaining or award of additional funding.

What do we mean by ‘Light Segregation methods’?

The Council has previously delivered its Active Travel scheme on the Shinfield Road with a ‘stepped’ cycle track approach. This involves installing a new kerb between the cycle track and the main carriageway and another kerb between the cycle track and the footway. This involved a lot of civils and digging works making it both time consuming and expensive.

Light segregation methods involve the installation of pre-cast dividing feature to deter vehicles from entering a mandatory cycle lane.

The dividing feature may be a low-level moulded hump (mini orca or armadillos) or a thin pole used to separate the lanes. Splitter islands at the beginning and interim locations along a route section can also provide further protection to cycle lanes.

There are many advantages to light segregation. It is cheaper to install which means that the Council can install more if for further of the scheme. It is quicker to install and there is also more flexibility enabling the segregation to pause where there insufficient space or other factors such as side roads or access requirements for driveways or bus stops.

The installation of light segregation also requires less work to adapt the drainage and reduces the risk of pooling of water that a stepped cycle track has.

Reading Borough Council has previously installed light segregation at the cycle scheme on Sidmouth Street and there are also examples of segregation at various locations in Green Park.

Please see some examples below of light segregation measures: