River Thames Reading footbridge consultation begins

Image caption, The bridge could be located between Caversham and Reading bridges

Consultation is to begin on plans to build a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Thames.

Reading Borough Council hopes to submit a planning application in June for a new bridge linking Christchurch Meadows with the redeveloped railway station.

The bridge would be paid for with money from a successful Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) bid for Β£20.7m.

Early designs for the landmark are based on a recently completed bridge nearby across junction 11 of the M4.

The proposed bridge would be located east of Fry's Island, between Caversham and Reading bridges.

Residents will receive consultation leaflets asking them to submit any initial comments.

A full planning application is provisionally set to be debated in September.

The council claims the LSTF bid would create an additional 7,200 daily bus trips, 12,050 daily walking trips and 2,300 daily cycle trips across the town, cutting congestion by up to 10%.