Wokingham Borough Connect
 New parking charges would keep highways in top shape
Our decision-making executive will be discussing a proposed increase in car park charges to ensure we can sustain highway services and offset an expected shortfall of up to £800,000 in parking revenue for this financial year.
With inflation at its highest in about 40 years and energy costs continuing to spiral upwards, we are facing unprecedented financial pressure. We need to look at where we can save money, and where we can raise money, to make sure we have enough to support those in need in our communities.
Unlike many other local authorities, we haven't increased off-street parking charges since 2018 and they have remained among the lowest both in the local area and regionally, meaning fees haven't kept pace with inflation.
The proposed changes would bring our charges in line with similar authorities across the South-East and would remain cheaper than some car parks in neighbouring areas including Bracknell Forest, Windsor & Maidenhead, Reading and Basingstoke.
Proposed changes:
- Extend the car park charge times to between 6am and 10pm from Monday to Sunday,
- Parking to remain free overnight, but motorists would need to collect a free vend ticket to register their vehicle
- Charges would then increase as follows - up to one hour, from 80p to £1.30; up to two hours, from £1.20 to £2.50; up to four hours, from £2 to £4.50; up to six hours, from £3 to £6.50; over six hours, from £4 to £9.
- Market traders would pay £6.50 for an extended day at Cockpit Path car park instead of £4.
- Season tickets would be charged as follows - one month, from £82.23 to £168.50; three months, from £240.35 to £506.50; six months, from £450.34 to £1,013; 12 months, from £900.68 to £2,026.
- An overnight 12 month season ticket, previously £292, would be free of charge.
The news comes as we have affirmed our commitment to protecting our most vulnerable residents despite unprecedented financial pressures.
 Powering up the borough's drive for greener travel
Dozens of electric vehicle charging points are a step closer to being installed across Wokingham borough now that funding has become available. We’re about to receive a Government grant towards 38 chargers in 19 locations, which will cover 60 per cent of the cost.
This comes from the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, run by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) with support from the Energy Saving Trust. The remaining money will be paid by the supplier once a contract is agreed, with no net cost to taxpayers.
Twelve sites are residential streets in Wokingham town, Twyford, Winnersh, Earley, Woodley, Arborfield, Finchampstead and Wargrave, which were chosen following consultation with residents. Exact locations will be confirmed once we’ve drawn up traffic orders for the work.
The others will go in our car parks at Denmark Street, Rose Street and Cockpit Path, all in Wokingham town, Polehampton Close (West) in Twyford, Station Road in Earley and Crockhamwell Road and Headley Road in Woodley.
We were keen to pursue the grant, which is mostly for streets that don’t have off-street parking, as part of our strategy to tackle climate change and improve air quality by reducing emissions. This also includes promoting public transport and increasing opportunities for walking and cycling.
 Go back to school by bus to save money and the planet
We’re urging children and young people returning to school in Wokingham borough to take advantage of cheap bus travel - and make the most of it in their spare time too.
Reading Buses and its sister company Thames Valley Buses, whose routes serve many local schools, offer reduced Boost fares for young people aged 18 and under, and to students 19 and over studying full-time at certain colleges and universities. No separate identification is needed, although students who look 18 or older are required to show some form of ID when they travel or in advance.
Advance Boost tickets can be bought on a single trip, daily, weekly, 30-day, termly or year-round basis, with an annual simplyWokingham&Reading zone pass costing just £550 online or on Reading Buses’ app (equivalent to £10.58 a week, or £1.51 a day), more than a third less than the regular price of £850.
A termly pass is £205 and can still be used on all journeys and routes within the zone, whether going to school or visiting friends in the evenings and at weekends. To find out more, visit www.reading-buses.co.uk or get the app from the Google Play and Apple stores.
We strongly encourage travelling by bus, alongside walking, cycling or taking the train, as part of a drive to improve air quality, tackle the climate emergency and help people to be healthier. However, operators are struggling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and if we don’t use them now, we could lose them in the future.
 Arborfield Village Improvement Scheme
The Arborfield Village Improvement Scheme is nearing completion, with works anticipated to be finished by the end of the month.
Last week (16 September), a modal filter was installed on School Road, which will make it a no-through road to vehicles.
The modal filter has been done under an experimental traffic order (ETRO) basis, meaning the closure will be left in place for a minimum of one year to record data and feedback.
Feedback can be sent in writing quoting ref: 2022/E06/001 to the Traffic Management, Parking & Road Safety Team, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WL or by email to tm.consultations@wokingham.gov.uk.
 Upcoming roadworks
Barkham
Multi-way lights – Bearwood Road, Barkham
The lights will be in place at junction with The Lilacs, 3 to 6 October. This is to install a dropped crossing.
Binfield
2-way lights – Forest Road, Binfield
The lights will be in place outside Ashridge Manor Farm, 28 to 29 September. This is to allow SSE to carry out works on a pole safely.
https://one.network/?GB130393510
Finchampstead
2-way lights – Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead
The lights will be in place between Masdar Gardens and Longmoor Close, 29 September to 3 October. This is to allow SEW to repair leak on stopcock.
Shinfield
Multi-way lights – Eastern Relief Road, Shinfield
The lights will be in place near the roundabout with Shinfield Road, 26 September to 18 October. This is to allow UK Power Distribution to install duct/cables.
https://one.network/?GB130972726
Wargrave
Road Closure – Kentons Lane, Wargrave
The closure will be in place on 26-30/9/22. This is to allow SSE to instal new connections..
The alternative route for all traffic affected by the closure shall be by proceeding via White Hill and Wargrave Road.
Wokingham
Road Closure – Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham
The closure will be in place between Honey Hill and Palmer Drive, 26 September from 9:30 am to 4pm. This is to carry out plane and inlay works..
The alternative route for all traffic affected by the closure shall be via New Wokingham Road/Dukes Road/Bracknell Road/Old Wokingham Road/Nine Mile Ride.
2-way lights – Heathlands Road, Wokingham
The lights will be in place near Hatch Ride, from 3 to 5 October. This is to allow Gigaclear to enable customer service.
2-way lights – Sandhurst Road, Wokingham
The lights will be in place between The Bowers and Tintagel Farm Close, 29 to 30 September. This is to allow SEW to rectify a defect in the footway safely.
Woodley
2-way lights – Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley
The lights will be in place between Colemansmoor Road and The Ridgeway, 27 to 29 September.This is to allow Thames Water to carry out works on a new connection.
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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