Road changes proposed after 'concerning' incidents

Changes to a road's layout in Reading are being proposed to cut the number of accidents following a series of "concerning" incidents over recent months.

Reading Borough Council said it had received reports of issues with pedestrian crossings and left hand turns onto the outbound bus lane in King's Road.

It wants to break up the bus lane at three junctions – into Reading College, Kingsgate Street and Rupert Street – to give drivers more time to look out for other vehicles.

The plan is set to be approved by the authority's traffic management sub-committee next Thursday, but would be subject to public consultation before being introduced.

Among the recent crashes, a boy in his late teens was taken to hospital after a collision between a motorbike and car shut King's Road in February.

Adjustments to signs and "decluttering" around junction has already happened, improving the safety of the road, the council said.

John Ennis, its lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said Reading College and Thames Valley Police had worked positively with the authority.

"The series of incidents along King's Road has obviously been concerning," he said.

"While it is not possible to protect against every eventuality, the council has developed proposals to help improve safety by allowing drivers more time and space ahead of making a left turn into one of the junctions."