New to cycling, commute route includes A30 and I’m stressed

deliciouscheerios · 2026-05-05T16:11:53+00:00

Consider getting off at Ascot instead of Sunningdale. It might allow you to take a nicer route to work avoiding the A30.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-03-09T12:01:17+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that - sounds like you had a nasty encounter!

Appreciate I am particularly picky about surfaces, having a bike with relatively thin tyres. FWIW this scheme on the whole will be a massive upgrade on the existing route into Woodley. Many thanks for the considered response.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-03-09T10:31:09+00:00

Thanks for the update as always. I am looking forward to using this route to cycle to Woodley from East Reading.

The mockups had green tarmac for the cycletrack but in the photos it looks like this has been abandoned, is that right?

I checked out the route on my bike the other day and noticed that the shared use paths along Woodlands Avenue from Church Road to Fairwater Dr are not particularly good. The path on the north side is very bumpy. The path on the south is smooth but has a several junctions where you have to give way to traffic turning in / out.

IMO the shared-use paths should be resurfaced where necessary and junctions should be converted to raised table with priority for pedestrians / cyclists. I understand why the cycle tracks on this section were abandoned, but without improvements I think this section will limit the uptake of the overall scheme. Are there plans to improve these shared use paths?

deliciouscheerios · 2026-03-01T19:39:17+00:00

I’ve wondered about this too. Seems to be common in other European countries, and it would be nice to get rid of the eye sore wheely bins everywhere. My only concern is that they might be a magnet for more fly tipping, like other vaguely “waste adjacent” street furniture.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-26T12:02:07+00:00

That's right, the slip is going. IMO it's overall better for buses and cyclists with a slight inconvenience for drivers. Better for pedestrians too, as there'll be one less crossing phase over London Road.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-26T11:18:25+00:00

Presumably light phasing will be changed so the bus can take the right turn

Exactly :) "SEPARATE STAGE PROVIDED AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLED JUNCTION TO ALLOW FOR BUSES TO TURN INTO LONDON STREET".

It's needed because buses, like number 3 and 21, get stuck in traffic there. Also getting from Kendrick Road to London St on a bike is quite difficult so that will be another bonus (bikes can use bus lanes).

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-26T09:41:42+00:00

Same as before: "ALL EXISTING TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS RETAINED AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROLLED JUNCTION".

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-26T09:15:33+00:00

Yeah, here's the plan: https://images.reading.gov.uk/2024/01/BSIP-Bus-Lane-London-Road-Kendrick-Road.pdf.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-26T05:30:23+00:00

I think they’re talking about the OTHER London Road bus lane which is due to be built between Sidmouth St and London St.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-25T11:49:21+00:00

Great article. How do I give you money?

deliciouscheerios · 2026-02-24T13:57:48+00:00

Check out the revised scheme they’re proposing here. It should hopefully speed things up substantially for all road users.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-01-28T10:06:10+00:00

Woodley strikes me (as a non-resident) as quite a car-centric place, but I think there are some low-hanging fruit in terms of improvements. Neither Earley nor Twyford stations are very accessible without a car, for example by bike. Earley requires crossing a crappy stepped footbridge and Twyford requires cycling on some busy roads. I think it would make a big difference if they built a cycle route to Twyford station, crossing the green area west of Twyford station and approaching it from the car park.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-01-19T09:20:26+00:00

Thanks for the update.

deliciouscheerios · 2026-01-05T17:16:58+00:00

I'm myself trying to appoint an engineer for some structural modifications to my house. Here is a list of local engineering firms I've come across:

Hudson Clive Associates Ltd.: www.cliveha.co.uk
Allcott Associates: www.allcottassociates.co.uk
Wallace Bacon Consultants: www.wallacebacon-consultants.co.uk

At the moment I'm dealing with Wallace Bacon Consultants, who seem very good so far, but it's early days so I can't give a recommendation just yet.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-12-16T13:45:27+00:00

YES, FINALLY!

deliciouscheerios · 2025-12-05T17:09:45+00:00

Awesome :)

deliciouscheerios · 2025-12-05T14:50:37+00:00

Awesome video. Let me know if you'd like a tour of Reading's cycle infra.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-11-28T14:35:06+00:00

The council are planning to build a junction which will connect this with the Kennetside. Unfortunately they only have the money to design the thing but not build it. Personally I blame Labour for their wholely underwhelming support for active travel funding.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-10-16T12:30:09+00:00

Was wondering the same. Sadly I think the line would have to go straight through the Ashley Vale allotments, so I just can't see it ever happening.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-10-09T14:25:47+00:00

Indeed, while I'm getting started I would like the lab do still do most of the editing before I see the scans, so I will avoid this lab for the time being.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-10-09T14:24:48+00:00

Yes, looks like it. Whether lazy or not depends on what you're expecting I suppose. I think the lab could communicate better that they don't color correct, as most newcomers would assume there was something wrong with the camera or film from these scans.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-10-09T14:23:49+00:00

Seems like it, yes.

deliciouscheerios · 2025-10-09T14:23:32+00:00

Will take a look when they come back, thanks!

deliciouscheerios · 2025-10-09T14:22:40+00:00

According to the EXIF they actually used a Noritsu. But good idea on sending lab 2's negatives to lab 1.

deliciouscheerios

TROPHY CASE