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We're back in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday morning with the latest news for Wokingham borough.
We had reduced the frequency of these newsletters to Fridays only due to the pre-election period, but with local elections now finished, we'll return to our normal sending schedule of twice a week.
 Local election results
Thousands of you headed to the polls last week to vote in the local elections. More than 43,000 ballots were cast.
Following the count on Friday, the political make-up of the council is now:
- 26 - Conservative
- 23 - Liberal Democrat
- 3 - Labour
- 2 - Independent
This means that no single party has an overall majority (a situation known as No Overall Control).
You can visit election results 2022 webpage for the full details about the election results in your area. It also contains the results for the parish council election in Remenham.
 Section of new road now open
A major new road being built to serve new homes and relieve congestion in Wokingham is almost finished after the penultimate sections opened to traffic yesterday (Monday 9 May).
The new 1km carriageway to the west of Old Forest Road, which runs from the A329 Reading Road roundabout to a new junction with Old Forest Road, is part of our North Wokingham Distributor Road project – as is an upgraded stretch of Old Forest Road and Toutley Road, immediately to the east.
Both were built by our contractor Balfour Beatty, which has installed a new 45m bridge crossing the railway line north of Old Forest Road. The team has also realigned Toutley Road to include an improved crossing over the Ashridge stream, which has been redirected.
The roads opened soon after resurfacing works and line painting were finished and Balfour Beatty’s teams will continue landscaping to ensure the surrounding area remains as attractive as possible. The scheme also included the creation of a new green space to the north, at Old Forest Meadows.
The only remaining section of the North Wokingham Distributor Road is a 550m stretch between Bell Foundry Lane and Dalley Road. This was built last year but can’t open due to the high volume of construction traffic from nearby house building. We’re working closely with the developers and will announce a date as soon as we can.
 15 per cent off half-term activity camps
Half-term is just around the corner and borough children will be delighted to know that Power-Up Activity Camps will be running from Monday 30 May to Wednesday 1 June 2022 at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre.
There's plenty of fun activities taking place including pool and inflatable fun, badminton, children's yoga, hockey, martial arts, football, rounders, cricket, athletics, trampolining, dodgeball, tag rugby, basketball, tennis, soft play, dance and many more.
Our Sport and Leisure Team is running two fantastic promotions* when you book an activity camp:
- Receive an early bird 10 per cent off discount when you book an activity camp in May. Enter code MAY10 at the checkout. Valid until 20 May
- Receive 15 per cent off when you book an activity day in May and during the summer holiday. Enter code SUMMER15 at the checkout. Valid until 1 June
To view the timetable of activities and book your child’s place, register or login to the council's booking website. There is a 10 per cent off sibling discount which is automatically applied at the checkout when parents book two or more children for the camp.
*Terms and conditions apply. Please note: only one discount can be applied at any time
 Runners and others will enjoy smoother path
The footpath around Black Swan Lake at Dinton Pastures, which is the most popular at the site, is now fully open again after extensive resurfacing.
We flattened it and laid a tarmac base before Easter as well as laying down grass seed, and now we've also applied a layer of sturdy bonded gravel.
These changes will make the area much more accessible to those with mobility issues or pushing prams and buggies.
 Elizabeth Line opens later this month
Transport for London has announced 24 May as the opening date for the new Elizabeth Line, just ahead of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II platinum jubilee, who the line was named in honour of.
A series of construction issues have caused delays on the opening of the new line, originally due to open in 2018, but will now offer a more connected South East, with trains running between Reading, Heathrow and Essex and through central London.
The route includes Twyford Station in our borough. When the full route opens, two Elizabeth line trains an hour (four an hour at peak times) will allow passengers to travel right through central London without having to change trains.
The Elizabeth Line has a total of 41 stations, which have all been designed or upgraded with accessibility in mind. Although the service starts on 24 May, further changes will happen over the next 12 months and by May 2023 will be fully operational.
What you might have missed
- We’ve got more than 25 vacancies to join us including personal assistants, social workers, maintenance officers and learning and development specialists. Find out more on our jobs webpages
- There’s less than a week left to apply for a road closure for a street party to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee (2 to 5 June). Applications must be submitted by the end of Sunday (15 May)
- Our adult education team has a range of courses available to book through the summer. Check the course listings and see what’s available
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