Wokingham Borough Connect
 Back to school travel
With just over a week until schools go back for the Autumn term, now is the perfect time to start planning your walking, wheeling or cycling routes.
There are lots of benefits for children to walk, wheel and cycle, including:
- Higher performance
- Better concentration
- Increased well-being and self esteem
- More alert
- Improved concentration
My Journey Wokingham produces 60 maps each year, showing walking, wheeling and cycling routes to schools across the borough.
The maps have been updated for the 2022/23 school year and are being uploaded the the website over the next few days.
Visit the MyJourney schools hub to find your school and download the map, as well as get other tips and advice about travelling sustainably to and from school.
 One week countdown to Cycle September
Cycle September 2022 is just a week away, and it is your last chance to win a bike of your choice, worth up to £1,000, for early bird registrations that sign up before 1 September.
So far, 191 individuals and 33 businesses have signed up to take part from the borough, could you join them?
The challenge is fun, friendly and welcoming to all riders, regardless of experience or ability, and offers a little gentle rivalry as people compete to top the local leaderboard. We’re proud to back it as part of our commitment to promoting active and sustainable alternatives to driving.
As well as being good for you, and the environment, by taking part in Cycle September you are in with a chance of winning a whole range of prizes, from £4,000 towards a dream holiday to bikes and accessories.
Vital bus services roll on after urgent council talks
Our decision-making executive has agreed to subsidise alternative routes through villages south of the M4, currently served by Reading Buses' Tiger 7 and Leopard 3, 8 and 9, until 31 March 2023.
Buses have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, with passenger numbers still lower than in 2019 as operating costs like fuel prices rise and with no clear future support from the Government.
We’re thankful to Reading Buses and Shinfield and Swallowfield parish councils for working with us on this, and are still looking for a long-term solution to keeping the buses running.
Until then, we strongly urge you to travel by bus wherever you can. It’s much better for the environment than driving and if we don’t use these crucial services now, we could lose them later.
Fares increase slightly on 5 September to help the buses survive, but it’s still highly affordable and Reading Buses’ tickets remain among Britain’s cheapest. For a journey planner, visit the My Journey Wokingham website.
 More time to comment on walking and cycling routes
It's been running since 11 July and we've had thousands of responses since then, after publicising it widely across all our platforms. However, we still want to make absolutely sure that everybody's had the chance to have their say before the summer holidays end.
The plan is a "high level" one so these are just ideas for now - we won't go ahead with anything until we've consulted you in more depth. Nonetheless, we need this plan in place to help us get Government funding in years to come and your comments will help us make sure we're on the right track.
 Get ready for World Car-Free Day
On 22 September, motorists across the globe are encouraged to take part in World Car-Free Day. Will you join us and not use yours for the day?
Vehicle emissions are one of the main sources of outdoor air pollution, and contribute significantly to global warming. World Car-Free Day is therefore celebrated every year to raise public awareness of these concerns, and promote other more sustainable transport for everyday journeys.
Walk, cycle or taking public transport for the day, and play your part in helping the environment.
For an added challenge, why not go the extra mile and see if you can go car-free all week? Download the Innovation Valley app and earn points and prizes for travelling sustainably, some extra prizes will be waiting for you on World Car-Free Day!
 Upcoming roadworks
Arborfield
Road Closure – Swallowfield Road, Arborfield
The closure will be in place between Observer Way and Reading Road, from 1 to 2 September. This is to install signage, roundabout narrowing and speed reductions.
Earley
Road Closure – Wilderness Road, Earley
The closure will be in place between Wokingham Road and Whiteknights Road, on 30 August, 10pm to 5am. This is to allow Openreach to remove a blockage from the underground network.
Grazeley
Road Closure – Bloomfieldhatch Lane, Grazeley
The closure will be in place between Lambwood Hill and Foundry Bridge on 1 September. This is to allow Gigaclear to provide live services.
https://one.network/?GB129454428
Remenham
Road Closure – Wargrave Road, Remenham
The closure will be in place between Kentons Lane and White Hill, on 4 September, midday to 3pm. This is to allow Openreach to carry out pole testing.
Winnersh
Multi-way lights – Reading Road, Winnersh
These lights will be in place at the junction of with Arbor Lane on 5 September, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to install new bollards.
Wokingham
2-way lights – Heathlands Road, Wokingham
The lights will be in place between Hatch Ride and Nine Mile Ride on 30 August. This is to allow Gigaclear to install cabling.
Woodley
Multi-way lights – Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley
These lights will be in place at the junction of Colesmans Moor Lane, 30 August to 2 September. This is to allow SSE to install new cabling.
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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