Wokingham Borough Connect
 Plastic kerb trial outcomes
In summer 2020, as part of our new cycle path on London Road in Wokingham, we installed plastic kerbs, a lightweight alternative to concrete kerbstones made using 88% recycled materials.
We recently reviewed the efficiency of the plastic kerbs, looking at the cost, longevity and environmental benefits, and as a result of the positive outcomes, will be using them more frequently.
Key findings from the report show that plastic kerbs are:
- 75% faster to install, needing no lifting equipment requiring fewer workers and less time.
- Enough carbon saved to power 35 houses for a year
- Improved health and safety of workers, by removing the dust produced when cutting concrete and the tools and machinery for cutting and lifting concrete.
- Reduced noise during installation for local residents
While the kerbs have not been in place long enough to assess long term durability, other areas have reported that they last as long as concrete kerbs. We have seen from those that have suffered damage so far from vehicle impact that the damage is similar to what we would expect from a concrete kerb.
For more information, please visit our news site.
 Get your free anti-idling sticker
The winning design of a recent school' competition to design a car bumper sticker, encouraging people to switch off their engines when stationary, has been revealed.
The competition was open to all local primary schools in the Public Protection Partnership area covering our borough, Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire. The children were asked to design a car bumper sticker to discourage anti-idling of car engines near schools, with a year 6 pupil from Ascot Heath Primary School producing the winning design.
We’re asking parents and residents to pop one of the stickers on their car’s back window. Visibility of the stickers will hopefully help us reduce the number of cars left with their engines idling, in particular around schools.
To claim your free sticker, please send an email to the team with your name and address.
 Highway Code Updates
On Saturday (29 January) change to The Highway Code will come into force, introducing a hierarchy of road users dependent on their level of vulnerability.
Vulnerability is assessed as who is most likely to be injured if involved in a collision, and from most to least vulnerable are:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Horse riders
- Motorcyclists
- Cars
- Vans/minibuses
- Large passenger vehicles/heavy goods vehicles
While everyone still has responsibility for their own safety, the updated Highway Code puts more responsibility on those who can do the greatest harm to reduce the danger or threat they may pose. Some examples of new rules to support this new hierarchy are:
- Pedestrians waiting to cross the road at a zebra crossing or at a junction have priority over other road users.
- Cyclists should ride in the centre of a lane, unless it is safe for them to temporarily move to the side to allow faster vehicles to pass.
- Drivers and passengers are advised to use a new technique to open vehicle doors. The 'Dutch Reach' advises you to use your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening, causing your body to naturally twist to better check for other road users.
For a full list of changes, please visit the Highway Code website.
 Planned resurfacing works
Resurfacing will continue in Wokingham this week, with Easthampstead Road closed between 8pm to 6am from 31 January to 3 February.
 Latest roadworks
Barkham
2-way lights – Langley Common Road
The lights will be in place between School Road and Biggs Lane from 31 January to 1 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to carry out coring works.
https://one.network/?GB127289393
2-way lights – School Road
The lights will be in place near the junction with Barkham Road from 2 to 4 February, 9.30am to 3pm. This is to allow Thames Water to carry out works to their main. https://one.network/?GB127356473
Crowthorne
2-way lights – New Wokingham Road
The lights will be in place near the junction with Oaklands Lane on 3 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to carry out sign post installation works.
https://one.network/?GB127094830
Earley
2-way lights – Rushey Way
The lights will be in place near the junction with Marefield on 3 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to allow Instalcom to carry out frame and cover repairs.
https://one.network/?GB127246565
Finchampstead
2-way lights – Finchampstead Road
The lights will be in place between Barkham Ride and Nine Mile Ride from 4 to 6 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to allow Trooli to carry out blockage clearance works.
https://one.network/?GB127355247
Ruscombe
Road Closure – New Road
The closure will be in place between Ruscombe Lane and Northbury Avenue on 4 February, 9.30am – 4pm. This is to carry out carriageway repair works.
https://one.network/?GB124926547
Sonning
Lane Closure – Pound Lane
The lane closure will be in place from the junction with A4 Bath Road on 31 January, 9.30am to 3pm. This is to carry out lining works.
https://one.network/?GB127343614
Winnersh
Lane Closure – Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange
The lane closure will be in place near the roundabout to the A329 on 31 Janauary, 9.30am to 3.30pm. This is to allow T-Mobile to carry out maintenance works on their telecommunications equipment.
https://one.network/?GB127238524
Wokingham
2-way lights – Nine Mile Ride
The lights will be in place near the junction with Pineridge Farm on 31 January, 9.30am to 3.30pm. This is to allow BT to carry out pole renewal works.
https://one.network/?GB127216965
Road Closure – Easthampstead Road
The closure will be in place between Denton Road and Murdoch Road from 31 January to 3 February, 8pm to 6am. This is to carry out surfacing works.
https://one.network/?GB124009750
2-way lights – Sandhurst Road
The lights will be in place from The Bowers and Tintagel Farm Close from 1 to 3 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to allow Gigaclear to carry out blockage works.
https://one.network/?GB127219276
Multi-way lights – Reading Road
These lights will be in place at the junction with Woosehill Spine Road from 3 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to carry out pole installation works.
https://one.network/?GB127094576
Road Closure – Barkham Road
The closure will be in place between Oxford Rod and Station Approach on 6 February, 12.30am to 630am. This is to allow Network Rail to carry out inspection works.
https://one.network/?TMI=GB20976630
Multi-way lights – Nine Mile Ride
These lights will be in place at the junction with New Wokingham Road on 1 February, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to carry out pole installation works.
https://one.network/?GB127340917
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