Yesterday I also had a good chat with the new Lib Dem Exec member for highways and Transport Adrian Betteridge, who I got on well with when he was running CLASP and I was exec member. It was meant to be about active travel and in particular how we link Observer way to Shinfield, a missing cycle link I have long been keen to see resolved.
Whilst I was on the subject I took the opportunity to ask what can be done to help cyclists in Shinfield Road and put in a plug for the crossing by Crosfields as a way of helping safety and reducing congestion. He said he has always been sympathetic to the case for the crossing and would ask questions about Shinfield Road cycling which is a good sign.
I also asked what could be done to improve cycling on Sonning Lane in the hope that would also help, I reminded him that I got an advisiory clause in the planning permission for the Blue Coat expansion that said they should do something to improve cycling to school opportunities.
We also had a long chat about the need for some form of improved cycle crossing where the Winnersh By Pass joins the Reading Road. There are two alternative cycle routes there but the traffic is fast and its difficult to cross. Finally I also mentioned the bridge under the M4 where a barrier bisects the pathway and makes the cycleway too narrow. I also made a plea for some changes to the underbridge betwee Woodley and Earley where the barriers make cycling very tricky.
I then moved on to issues around Hall Farm and the traffic and explaine the issues with inadequate links and congestion ie the bridge joining the Hall Farm site to the LE Way, Mole Road and the Winnersh By Pass - plus of course the risk of the route becoming a rat run between the M3 and the M4!!
Good meeting and I did think he was listening, lets see what he does.
