Fresh Thames bridge plan gets WBC nod

WOKINGHAM Borough Council says it backs a fresh bid to create a new road bridge over the River Thames.

Reading Borough Council wants the crossing to link the A329m with Henley Road in Caversham, and added it to its draft transport strategy for 2040. Wokingham has expressed qualified support – South Oxfordshire won’t.

Wokingham’s response states: “Although the scheme is half in Wokingham borough and half in South Oxfordshire district, the majority of the benefits will be felt by Reading residents.

“Wokingham Borough Council remains supportive. It is essential that a financially sustainable model for construction and ongoing maintenance be identified.

“It is also essential that this is designed as a sustainable route corridor and not an extension of the A3290/ A329(M).”

Wokingham council’s support for the scheme is conditional on the impacts the route would have on its own Climate Emergency Action Plan.

It wants a full business case and emissions assessment.

Wokingham Borough Council’s response to Reading council’s draft transport strategy 2040 was sent after a decision by Cllr Paul Fishwick (Liberal Democrats, Winnersh), the executive member for active travel, transport and highways.

In 2020, South Oxfordshire

District Council’s then-leader Cllr Sue Cooper (Liberal Democrats, Benson and Crowmarsh) said the council did not believe a third Thames crossing would be the right solution to congestion issues in and around Reading.

In order for the Department of Transport to fund the project, a strategic outline case, an outline business case and a full business case would have to be submitted for departmental approval.