West Berkshire Council reveals plans to close off Kings Road in Newbury from through traffic

West Berkshire Council has revealed its plans to close off a busy Newbury road to through traffic, except for cyclists and pedestrians.

Following the creation of the new Hectors Way link road in August last year, the council is moving ahead with the next phase of the project by closing off the one-way section of Kings Road that leads to Sainsbury’s.

The Hectors Way link – which allows motorists to travel in both directions from the Sainsbury’s and Mole Country Stores roundabout to Hambridge Road – was described by the council as a “significant infrastructure achievement” when it was completed, but some motorists were quick to criticise the new road, believing it to be more dangerous than the previous one-way offering.

The council has now announced its proposal to impose a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), closing the one-way section of Kings Road and install a new paving island which would prevent cars from being able to pass through.

Travelling from Hambridge Road, Kings Road would become two-way from the new roundabout to Gordon Road. The new paving island would be positioned just past Gordon Road, but before the entrance to Windsor Court.

Access for residents of Windsor Court and the other end of Kings Road would then be via a new entrance and exit created at the Hectors Way lights, with this section of Kings Road also becoming two-way.

A council spokesperson said: “The removal of through traffic from Kings Road will reduce traffic noise and improve air quality in a residential street and reduce the potential for accidents by removing potential points of conflict between different road users.”

Along with this announcement, West Berkshire Council has also requested residents either express their support, record a neutral position or lodge an objection to the proposal.

The survey for the Kings Road TRO proposal can be accessed on the council’s website at https://rebrand.ly/vp3rbmg

The survey will run until Thursday, February 6.

Some residents have already had their say on the proposal on social media.

On a West Berkshire Council Facebook post outlining the proposal, Rog Davis commented: “The idea seems sound but I don't really understand why the road would be blocked in the middle somewhere, rather than shutting the western entry from Kings Road and then totally removing the traffic lights smoothing traffic flow for everyone?”

Windsor Court resident Sally Cameron said: “It's a good idea to block Kings Road from through traffic as there is no need for anyone to be using that stretch of road unless they are a resident of Kings Road or Windsor Court.

“I would have thought blocking it at the traffic lights would make the most sense.

“Residents can access from the new, very weirdly positioned, roundabout with a sign that reads ‘residents only access’.”

Al Toff commented: “Why block it off part way along? Block it off completely and remove the roundabout so that it is just a left hand turn into Hector’s Way.

“Then improve the position of the next roundabout by the car park entrance to the flats.”

Charlotte Beechey added: “Personally I would block it off at the roundabout end, not do the random cycle lane thing and just put parking for those that need it down there.

“Obviously bikes could still go through, but you wouldn't have traffic driving through except for permit parking as there is currently.”