Two councillors have traded barbs in a radio debate over the long-disputed proposal to construct a third bridge over the River Thames in an effort to reduce traffic near the county border.
A third crossing would link Thames Valley Park in Earley, Wokingham Borough with Caversham Park Road and Henley Road, which is on the borough boundary with South Oxfordshire.
Dreams for the new bridge remain in Reading Borough Council's policies as part of its transport strategy 2040, which was approved recently.
But parishes and South Oxfordshire District Council have consistently opposed it, with six councils petitioning Reading Borough to drop its hopes for the project.
John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport at Reading Borough Council sparred with Mike Giles from South Oxfordshire District Council.
Mr Ennis, of Labour, who represents Southcote, said: "There's a lot of through traffic, particularly over the two bridges. Sometimes it can become a car park.
"What we're concerned about is traffic that has no destination in Reading, where drivers should really be using the A34 onto the M4 and to go south.
"Previous studies show 25 per cent of drivers on our roads have no destination [in Reading] and that's something we need to have a look at.
"We want to work with local councils and South Oxfordshire, we have a plan for active travel, we have the third lowest car ownership in the country, we've got one of the best bus services and good cycle lanes.
"For South Oxfordshire, we understand why they don't want the third bridge, but what alternatives do they have?
"What modal shift and alternatives to the car is South Oxfordshire planning to do?"
READ MORE: Clash over prospect of third Thames Bridge to ease traffic through Reading
Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Giles, who represents Sonning Common, addressed Mr Ennis.
He said: "His predecessor Tony Page let the cat out of the bag recently by describing South Oxfordshire as 'pathetic' and saying it wasn't a proper council.
"That's hardly a way to win hearts and minds and to work with other authorities."
Mr Page was a leading Reading councillor who retired after 51 years this May.
In his farewell interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Page specifically called South Oxfordshire "a pathetically insular authority".
Mr Giles added: "On the particular issue, I'm afraid Reading council is selling the people of Caversham down the river by saying this bridge project would cut congestion.
"Arguably it would lead to increased demand for car journeys into and through the town, as well as increasing traffic through Oxfordshire where there's just not enough road lanes to cope."
Mr Ennis replied: "We could get into Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris politics of 'yah' 'boo'.
"I think the people of South Oxfordshire and north Reading deserve better."
He pressed Mr Giles again on what alternatives could be presented to the car, with the question being backed up by radio host Bridgitte Tetteh.
Mr Giles replied that solutions are needed that do not lead to 'ecological harm' which he believes a third bridge would create.
He even rebuffed Reading council ideas for park-and-ride bus services within Oxfordshire to encourage 'modal shift' for people coming into Reading from the north.
READ MORE: Wokingham Borough Council backs Reading push for third Thames Bridge
Mr Giles said: "I know from Reading's transport plan they are proposing a landgrab in South Oxfordshire to build some park-and-ride sites, that's not within Reading's plan to do that, and there's not support from Oxfordshire to deliver those schemes either.
"They need to go back to the starting board."
Meanwhile, Mr Ennis argued that the councils need to work together, and that Reading council is working with Oxfordshire County Council, which is the authority responsible for highways in the area.
The two councillors sparred on BBC Radio Oxfordshire on Friday, October 18.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here