Reading IDR update
Discussion
2 pieces of news, which could well be connected...
1) Reading Council are voting on whether to have a public inquiry in to the IDR on Monday night (construction *should have started* in Febraury)
2) John Howarth, Reading's "transport supremo" and chief driver for road-pricing and car-disruption has announced he will not be standing for re-election in the May elections. There has been a constant stream of scathing attacks against Howarth in the local rags (including plenty from me
)
Plenty of possibility to make 2+2=5 here!
1) Reading Council are voting on whether to have a public inquiry in to the IDR on Monday night (construction *should have started* in Febraury)
2) John Howarth, Reading's "transport supremo" and chief driver for road-pricing and car-disruption has announced he will not be standing for re-election in the May elections. There has been a constant stream of scathing attacks against Howarth in the local rags (including plenty from me
) Plenty of possibility to make 2+2=5 here!
That's quite interesting.
I've lived in Reading for about 10 years now, and whilst the traffic has always been bad, it's truly appalling now. I've been mostly working at home for about the last 3 1/2 years, but during the last 12 months had to regularly travel to an office in Early, from Caversham, a distance of 4 miles. It regularly took me between 30-45 minutes!
When I first heard about the one-way scheme, I wondered if it had some merit. Obviously it would cause chaos while it was being built, but maybe four lanes going the same way wouldn't be so bad. Then I read that it would only be three lanes as one lane would be a bus lane. That sunk it for me.
I suspect that the council may be considering road pricing as a backup plan. I doubt this would have much of an effect on the traffic, but it's going to cause a lot of bad feeling!
I've lived in Reading for about 10 years now, and whilst the traffic has always been bad, it's truly appalling now. I've been mostly working at home for about the last 3 1/2 years, but during the last 12 months had to regularly travel to an office in Early, from Caversham, a distance of 4 miles. It regularly took me between 30-45 minutes!
When I first heard about the one-way scheme, I wondered if it had some merit. Obviously it would cause chaos while it was being built, but maybe four lanes going the same way wouldn't be so bad. Then I read that it would only be three lanes as one lane would be a bus lane. That sunk it for me.
I suspect that the council may be considering road pricing as a backup plan. I doubt this would have much of an effect on the traffic, but it's going to cause a lot of bad feeling!
puggit said:
2 pieces of news, which could well be connected...
1) Reading Council are voting on whether to have a public inquiry in to the IDR on Monday night (construction *should have started* in Febraury)
2) John Howarth, Reading's "transport supremo" and chief driver for road-pricing and car-disruption has announced he will not be standing for re-election in the May elections. There has been a constant stream of scathing attacks against Howarth in the local rags (including plenty from me)
Plenty of possibility to make 2+2=5 here!
1) Reading Council are voting on whether to have a public inquiry in to the IDR on Monday night (construction *should have started* in Febraury)
2) John Howarth, Reading's "transport supremo" and chief driver for road-pricing and car-disruption has announced he will not be standing for re-election in the May elections. There has been a constant stream of scathing attacks against Howarth in the local rags (including plenty from me
) Plenty of possibility to make 2+2=5 here!
Regarding point 1. I am working with a team of highway enginers protesting the IDR scheme, i can t go into to much detail online but i know a certain town is taing Reading coucil to the high court regarding there proposals and how the economic case was justified.
We have found many flaws in there approach and the outcome of this was to place the IDR scheme infront of a full public enquiry!!
PM me for more if you need to !
Hi Stevie - do you mean Wokingham?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/be
I'm glad Howarth quit - I wasn't sure how to justify to my wife how I was spending all my spare time in May visiting Howarth's ward to canvass against him!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/be
I'm glad Howarth quit - I wasn't sure how to justify to my wife how I was spending all my spare time in May visiting Howarth's ward to canvass against him!
Edited by puggit on Thursday 15th March 22:10
puggit said:
Hi Stevie - do you mean Wokingham?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/be
I'm glad Howarth quit - I wasn't sure how to justify to my wife how I was spending all my spare time in May visiting Howarth's ward to canvass against him!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/be
I'm glad Howarth quit - I wasn't sure how to justify to my wife how I was spending all my spare time in May visiting Howarth's ward to canvass against him!
Edited by puggit on Thursday 15th March 22:10
Yep, I am working on ripping all of readings work apart and to make them start again putting there plans back by at least 3 years bygoing to public enquiry!
There reports make some good reading!
From what I understand, the data was incomplete and historic at best. To say the issue has been fudged is a major understatement.
Wokingham are perfectly right to challenge this, Howarth's stated aim was to drive traffic from Reading and in to neighbouring boroughs - which is not allowed!
Wokingham are perfectly right to challenge this, Howarth's stated aim was to drive traffic from Reading and in to neighbouring boroughs - which is not allowed!
My folks live in Caversham, backing onto the river between the two bridges, and i live in Lower Earley. To get to their house or home again on a Saturday takes at least 40 minutes. I can only imagine it is worse during peak weekday traffic.
Also, if they do implement road pricing, i will simply switch to using the bike or going to another town. As it is Festival Place in Basingstoke seems to have much better traffic flow and parking arrangements!
Also, if they do implement road pricing, i will simply switch to using the bike or going to another town. As it is Festival Place in Basingstoke seems to have much better traffic flow and parking arrangements!
Reading is a difficult one. The IDR scheme as proposed was madness but something has to be done about Reading's traffic!
I live just outside Arborfield and getting into Reading is horrific! I'm lucky as I work from home and can avoid the town at its worse but when I do have to go into town its just the same as goinhg into London, where I do have to go.
So its whilst its dead easy to say the IDR scheme was lunacy, it was, what do we do? I really think doing nothing isnt an option as it will just grind to a halt at worse times in the end! Any suggestions cos I don't know!
I live just outside Arborfield and getting into Reading is horrific! I'm lucky as I work from home and can avoid the town at its worse but when I do have to go into town its just the same as goinhg into London, where I do have to go.
So its whilst its dead easy to say the IDR scheme was lunacy, it was, what do we do? I really think doing nothing isnt an option as it will just grind to a halt at worse times in the end! Any suggestions cos I don't know!
Easy, make the park'n'ride free. It'll be a lot cheaper than doing what they're suggesting, and the park'n'ride system is in place already. Then ADVERTISE THAT FACT.
I'm sure if people could just go to Green Park or Winnersh and park for free and get a bus for free and the buses ran every 10 minutes from 8am to 10pm on Saturdays and 8am to 7pm on Sundays that would help, surely?
I'm sure if people could just go to Green Park or Winnersh and park for free and get a bus for free and the buses ran every 10 minutes from 8am to 10pm on Saturdays and 8am to 7pm on Sundays that would help, surely?
Reading's only real problems are on the northern side, due to only 2 bridges and the railway.
On the Southern side, all problems are man made:
1) Intentionally poor traffic light phasing. Try and drive from TGIs to jc11 without stopping at every set of lights
2) Bus-lanes...
3) Bus only junctions (Basingstoke Road, Suttons Roundabout, Duke St...)
It would be possible to fix a lot of the problems with common sense
On the Southern side, all problems are man made:
1) Intentionally poor traffic light phasing. Try and drive from TGIs to jc11 without stopping at every set of lights
2) Bus-lanes...
3) Bus only junctions (Basingstoke Road, Suttons Roundabout, Duke St...)
It would be possible to fix a lot of the problems with common sense
puggit said:
Reading's only real problems are on the northern side, due to only 2 bridges and the railway.
On the Southern side, all problems are man made:
1) Intentionally poor traffic light phasing. Try and drive from TGIs to jc11 without stopping at every set of lights
2) Bus-lanes...
3) Bus only junctions (Basingstoke Road, Suttons Roundabout, Duke St...)
It would be possible to fix a lot of the problems with common sense
On the Southern side, all problems are man made:
1) Intentionally poor traffic light phasing. Try and drive from TGIs to jc11 without stopping at every set of lights
2) Bus-lanes...
3) Bus only junctions (Basingstoke Road, Suttons Roundabout, Duke St...)
It would be possible to fix a lot of the problems with common sense
Dont know enough about traffic light phasing etc to comment. Bus lanes I dont have that much of an issue with as the buses seem to be well used at peak times and I do support a drive to get people onto buses /trains if they can. I can't see why there is so much traffic coming into town from Tilehurst - theres a really decent train service, every half hour and in in 5 mins and there are loads of buses! Even as a kid I can remember the number of 17 buses! But, they need to be made cheaper or at least give change!!!
Park and ride is an interesting one. I dont think it works in Reading. Part the reason for it is that, despite what the local leaders etc think, Reading isnt a big place - the town (note - TOWN!
) is two streets and a crappy shopping centre! Whenever I have looked at the park and ride for a lot of people they would need to drive out of town to come back in. It wouldnt have any impact on the local traffic, which I'm guessing is what most of the traffic is. I suppose the car parks could be made more expensive, but they are already just about the most expensive around and full so that may not work! My guess is that Reading will eventually get road pricing, again I dont agree with it or like it, but it seems a classic candidate for a pilot!
twit said:
My guess is that Reading will eventually get road pricing, again I dont agree with it or like it, but it seems a classic candidate for a pilot!
Not sure if you're aware, but Reading is one of 10 authorities that are trialling road pricing. Apparently those of us unlucky enough to live within Reading will get discounts...
puggit said:
On the Southern side, all problems are man made:
1) Intentionally poor traffic light phasing. Try and drive from TGIs to jc11 without stopping at every set of lights
2) Bus-lanes...
3) Bus only junctions (Basingstoke Road, Suttons Roundabout, Duke St...)
You forgot the new traffic lights at the A33/Rose Kiln Lane junction. What a fantastic idea that was - remove a roundabout that allowed traffic to flow freely, and replace with lights phased to cause traffic jams and delays. Maybe if this Howarth guy has gone, they can tear the damn things out and put the roundabout back.
puggit said:
twit said:
My guess is that Reading will eventually get road pricing, again I dont agree with it or like it, but it seems a classic candidate for a pilot!
Not sure if you're aware, but Reading is one of 10 authorities that are trialling road pricing. Apparently those of us unlucky enough to live within Reading will get discounts...
No discounts else whats the point of road pricing its to get you out of the car and onto the buses!!!!
The road pricing will be used to force out-of-towners to park-and-ride. The crazy thing is that apart from the Madejski stadium, there isn't suitable land for this scheme.
Hence all park-and-ride carparks will be based in neighbouring districts - who Reading are actively trying to piss off (one PaR is already based in Wokingham on the A329(M).
Hence all park-and-ride carparks will be based in neighbouring districts - who Reading are actively trying to piss off (one PaR is already based in Wokingham on the A329(M).
puggit said:
The road pricing will be used to force out-of-towners to park-and-ride. The crazy thing is that apart from the Madejski stadium, there isn't suitable land for this scheme.
Hence all park-and-ride carparks will be based in neighbouring districts - who Reading are actively trying to piss off (one PaR is already based in Wokingham on the A329(M).
Hence all park-and-ride carparks will be based in neighbouring districts - who Reading are actively trying to piss off (one PaR is already based in Wokingham on the A329(M).
Road Pricing will be used to force people to make a choice weather or not to drive to town, and park or take a local Bus to town.
I do not see why locals should get preferential treatment than out or towners.
I will reply to your email at home later this evening. As long as you dont work for PDA then i am in the clear!
stevieb said:
puggit said:
The road pricing will be used to force out-of-towners to park-and-ride. The crazy thing is that apart from the Madejski stadium, there isn't suitable land for this scheme.
Hence all park-and-ride carparks will be based in neighbouring districts - who Reading are actively trying to piss off (one PaR is already based in Wokingham on the A329(M).
Hence all park-and-ride carparks will be based in neighbouring districts - who Reading are actively trying to piss off (one PaR is already based in Wokingham on the A329(M).
Road Pricing will be used to force people to make a choice weather or not to drive to town, and park or take a local Bus to town.
I do not see why locals should get preferential treatment than out or towners.
I will reply to your email at home later this evening. As long as you dont work for PDA then i am in the clear!
) I was ment to type PBA not PDA.....
Long week...
If you use the Freedom of the Info act, you can obtain anything you want from the council as a private individual... in this instance you can ask for all of the design documants for the roundabout you keep mentioning on get reading input and output files. and ask what software package they used for the analysis...
I have all the packages at home and can audit the junction design, so to prove if it was designed to create congestion... Thats if thats what you want to do.
Woking Council Hate me as i have ripped 3 of there schemes apart so far and i have only live here for 18 months!! My next Target is the set of Signals near Vixpys house... It seems to have been changed for the worse over the recent months...
But my local residents assoiation love me as i help them fight against hosing applications for the village based on trasnportation grounds and section 106 contributions.
Long week...
If you use the Freedom of the Info act, you can obtain anything you want from the council as a private individual... in this instance you can ask for all of the design documants for the roundabout you keep mentioning on get reading input and output files. and ask what software package they used for the analysis...
I have all the packages at home and can audit the junction design, so to prove if it was designed to create congestion... Thats if thats what you want to do.
Woking Council Hate me as i have ripped 3 of there schemes apart so far and i have only live here for 18 months!! My next Target is the set of Signals near Vixpys house... It seems to have been changed for the worse over the recent months...
But my local residents assoiation love me as i help them fight against hosing applications for the village based on trasnportation grounds and section 106 contributions.
Gassing Station | Thames Valley & Surrey | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff