Funds awarded to reduce traffic congestion

The council has been awarded £1.992m for the project, which will see the road widened to provide an additional westbound lane that serves as the main route to residential areas from junction 12 of the M4.
Money for the project will come from the ‘Pinch Point’ fund, a government scheme to help remove bottlenecks on local roads.
The balance will come from developer’s contributions, including Ikea, who where granted permission to build a store off of junction 12.
West Berkshire council’s executive for highways and transport, Pamela Bale, said: “I am delighted that this bid has been successful. It now means that we are able to tackle a longstanding issue. It also means that it can be dealt with at very little cost to the people of West Berkshire.”
The work will also coincide with the new fire service headquarters which is set to open in spring next year along with plans to install a fire station in the area.
The news was welcomed by the district council’s representive for Theale, Alan Macro who said: “We do face major problems with holds ups in that area.
“I welcome anything that will ease congestion and it will certainly help the fire engines along.”
However, Mr Macro said he was disappointed that more was not being done to combat evening traffic to Reading.
Work to widen the A4 is expected to begin next summer and is scheduled to end in spring 2015.