Frustration Grows Over A33 Naming Proposal

Frustration has been voiced after Reading Borough Council deferred a plan to name the A33 after major local benefactor Sir John Madejski.

The proposal to call the road "John Madejski Way" was debated by the councils planning applications committee on Wednesday 7 October. The change was estimated to cost about £4,000.

Supporters point out Sir Johns long record of giving to the town, despite his name being removed from the stadium and a school in recent years.

John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport, said: "Thats a ballpark 'semi-figure'. There are no signs on that road, so there really does need to be signs there." He added: "Its not coming from food banks, its not coming from the poor, as people say, its coming from highway budgets."

Ennis also said: "The academy being renamed has written Sir John Madejski out of any naming or any identification of his name." He highlighted a unanimous full-council motion in June 2025 backing a way to honour Sir John.

There were jabs from elsewhere: when Cllr Richard Walkem (Green, Coley) suggested calling the A33 "Stripes Way" after climate stripes, Ennis replied: "No disrespect, but Reading [FC] play in hoops. Were not Newcastle, Notts County or Sunderland."

Councillor Micky Leng praised Sir Johns role in local regeneration: "He was the catalyst for regeneration in the south of Reading, yeah? He started it all, he attracted all the businesses to Green Park and our magnificent stadium." He added a line from a chant book: "Sh*t Ground No Fans."

Green councillors said the money could be better used. Cllr Jacqueline Dominguez (Green, Abbey) said: "I wonder if the residents agree that £4,000 is not a big deal. I dont have anything against this, I never met the guy, but since May, Ive been telling my residents no to safe crossings for children to get to a playground, no to removing a pole to fit a wheelchair or a buggy. So I find this extremely superficial and out of touch."

The decision was deferred after legal advice flagged risks for property holders, who may need to change addresses and postcodes. The council identified 20 affected properties, mainly at Reading Gate Retail Park and Reading International Business Park; none replied to the consultation. Labour councillors voted to defer, outvoting the Green group and Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst).

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter