Wokingham Borough Connect
 Campaign to speed up trains gathering steam
We’re campaigning to improve train journey times between stations in Wokingham borough and London Waterloo in a bid to encourage more people to use the service.
The 36-mile journey takes an hour and 17 minutes but we believe South Western Railway, the operator, could reduce this to just 59 minutes by introducing “fast” trains that don’t stop at stations between Twickenham and the capital.
With passenger numbers either stagnating or falling at Earley, Winnersh Triangle, Winnersh and Wokingham stations during at least the four years prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we say the time is right to pursue this idea and make train travel a more attractive option again.
This will reduce car usage, a key priority as we strive to meet our pledge to address the climate emergency by doing everything we can to reduce the borough’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.
The proposal to improve train journey times has the support of all parties after a motion, put forward by Cllr Charles Margetts (Con) and seconded by Cllr Paul Fishwick (LD), our executive member for active travel, transport and highways, was unanimously agreed at a full council meeting on 21 July.
 Arborfield Village Improvements next stage
The Arborfield Village Improvement Scheme has moved on to the next phase, with works starting this week on School Road.
The works will see School Road closed to through traffic (with access maintained for cyclists), diverting traffic away from the village and onto the relief road.
The scheme was designed based on responses to a 2020 consultation, which was completed by over 300 local residents, the majority of which were in agreement of all proposals.
This arrangement is being trialled under something called an experimental traffic order, which any local authority can pass in order to try out new traffic control schemes.
Under laws which apply to all councils, these may be in place for between six and 18 months although typically they last about a year.
After the first six months, during which we must record all comments, we can decide whether to make the arrangement permanent, keep it going as a trial for another 12 months or abandon it.
Any comments on the scheme can be emailed to our traffic management team.
 Further rail strikes planned
Further strike action is planned on the rail networks, with further strikes planned for Saturday 13, Thursday 18 and Saturday 20 August.
Operators affected include Great Western Railway and Avanti West Coast.
Significantly reduced services are expected on strike days and could affect train travel in the days after.
Keep up to date with strike information and how this may affect your journey through National Rail.
 Upcoming roadworks
Aborfield
Road Closure – Church Lane
The closure will be in place between A327 Reading Road and Sindlesham Road, from 12 to 16 August. This is to allow Gigaclear to carry out excavation to rectify blockages.
https://one.network/?GB130354530
Charvil
Multi-way lights - Old Bath Road
These lights will be in place at the junction with Park Lane from 11 to 12 August, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to relocate a signpost.
https://one.network/?GB129506376
Finchampstead
Two-way lights – Finchampstead Road
The lights will be in place between Tangley Drive and Eastheath Avenue from 8 to 10 August. This is to allow South East Water to repair a leaking stopcock. https://one.network/?GB130298418
Two-way lights – Barkham Ride
The lights will be in place between Windsor Ride and St James Close, on 8 August 9.30am to 4pm. This is to carry out footpath patching works.
https://one.network/?GB130397680
Road Closure – Park Lane
The closure will be in place between A327 Reading Road and Nine Mile Ride, on 15 August 8am to 4pm. This is to allow BT safe access to provide 5m of new duct. https://one.network/?GB129282951
Lower Earley
Road Closure – Sutcliffe Avenue
The closure will be in place between Wokingham Road and Meadow Road, on 15 August. This is to carry out plane and inlay resurfacing works.
https://one.network/?GB127775849
Ruscombe
Road Closure – Stanlake Lane
The closure will be in place between Waltham Road and New Road, on 12 August. This is to carry out plane and inlay resurfacing works.
https://one.network/?GB128117056
Shinfield
Road Closure – Blackboy Roundabout
The closure will be in place between B3270 Lower Way West and B3270 Whitley Wood Lane, from 10 to 17 August, 8pm to 6am. This is to carry out plane and inlay resurfacing works. https://one.network/?GB128116492
Spencers Wood
Two-way lights – B3349 Hyde End Road
The lights will be in place near Croft Road, on 5 August, 9.30am 4pm. This is to replace a gully cover and frame. https://one.network/?GB130398515
Three Mile Cross
Two-way lights – B3349 Basingstoke Road
The lights will be in place between Star Rise and Sevenoaks Drive, from 15 to 19 August. This is to allow Hyperoptic Ltd to carry out installation of a new part of the duct, creating a trench to access existing chambers.
https://one.network/?GB130348889
Woodley
Multi-way lights – Loddon Bridge Road
These lights will be in place at the junction with Coppice Road, from 18 to 19 August, 9.30am to 3pm. This is to allow Thames Water to carry out essential sewer cleaning and CCTV works. https://one.network/?GB130278649
Keeping up to date
- For planned and emergency roadworks, follow our Twitter and Facebook pages
- To find out about roadworks near you, visit One.network
- For active and sustainable travel, including events, training and resources, visit MyJourney Wokingham
- Visit our major new roads page for plans and updates
- For information on re-surfacing and reactive carriageway repairs visit our pothole and road repairs page
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You can report any issues with roads and streets online, including street lights, problems with traffic lights, potholes, damaged street furniture, problems with road markings and removal of dead animals.
- On our parking and permits page, you can find information including car parks and costs around the borough, resident parking permits, park and ride services and appealing a parking fine.
- Our transport and travel page includes information on applying for a senior citizen or disabled person's bus and train pass and local public transport information.
- The blue parking badges page has information on applying for, using, replacing and returning your blue badge.
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