Part of major road could become John Madejski Way

1 hour ago

James AldridgeLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Part of the A33 in Reading could be named after Sir John, pictured at the Reading match against Lincoln City in April

Getty Images A picture of Sir John Madejski, who has greying hair and glasses and is wearing a suit, in front of a dug out at the SCL Stadium in Reading. — Part of the A33 in Reading could be named after Sir John, pictured at the Reading match against Lincoln City in April

A decision on whether part of a major Reading road is renamed in honour of one of the town's leading figures could be made later this year.

Sir John Madejski was the chairman of Reading Football Club from 1990 to 2012, overseeing its move to the then Madejski Stadium in 1998 and promotion to the Premier League in 2006.

The 85-year-old was the chancellor of the University of Reading between 2007 and 2016 and helped finance the John Madejski Academy in Whitley, which was renamed Hartland High School last year.

Reading Borough Council said a consultation on whether to rename part of the A33 John Madejski Way will close in July, ahead of a decision being made in the autumn.

Jan Gavin, the chair of the council's planning applications committee, told a meeting on Wednesday that the A33 could be renamed from the junction with Rose Kiln Lane to the roundabout joining Basingstoke Road.

Part of the road runs close to the football stadium, which was rebranded the Select Car Leasing Stadium in 2021.

Gavin said letters were issued to affected properties on 28 May and the consultation will close on 12 July.

Feedback from the consultation will be incorporated into a report that will be presented to the committee when it meets on 9 September or 7 October.