Wokingham Borough Connect
 Check before you travel
Buses serving Wokingham borough and surrounding areas could be cancelled at short notice, so please check before travelling.
Reading Buses and its sister operator Thames Valley Buses have warned of possible disruption caused by an ongoing national shortage of drivers, compounded by the recent serious fire at Slough bus station.
They've thanked their teams for working extremely hard to keep as many services running as possible and apologised for any disruption, which they're doing all they can to minimise in partnership with us and other authorities.
They're prioritising essential journeys like the first and last of each day and at school times, while avoiding cancelling consecutive trips on the same route. In the long term, they're also making every effort to recruit more staff.
Full details of affected routes on the Thames Valley Buses webpage, which is updated daily.
 Parking fee increase to protect vital services
A proposed increase in off-street car parking fees, our first in almost five years, has been given the go-ahead following further discussions - and we'll soon be consulting on a traffic order to bring it into effect.
Our overview and scrutiny management committee voted to confirm the decision originally made by our executive last month. That decision was “called in” shortly afterwards for closer examination, which our constitution allows to make sure we’re doing things democratically.
We’ve got to increase charges to make up an expected shortfall in parking revenue this financial year, caused partly by Covid-19 and changing work habits. This will help us maintain our highways at the current level without affecting services used by more vulnerable residents like children, the elderly or those on low incomes.
We’re facing unprecedented financial pressure as running costs like energy spiral upwards, but we’ve pledged to continue protecting those in need from the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Our parking fees have been among the lowest in the area for years and will remain competitive compared with similar authorities, many of which have had similar increases or will do soon. Following your comments, we amended our proposal so the increase outside Wokingham town would be lower.
Subject to consultation, we expect the increase could happen in January at the earliest.
 Driving in mist and fog
Fog and mist can be hazardous when driving. The AA have put together a guide for safe driving in fog and we have some of their top tips below.
What are fog lights?
Fog lights are extra front and/or rear lights on some vehicles that are designed to make it easier to see and be seen in foggy conditions.
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Front fog lights are usually white or yellow lights which sit below your headlights and can cut through fog without causing glare.
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The rear fog light is a red light, similar in brightness to a brake light, on the back of your car which helps other drivers see you.
When should you use fog lights?
Fog lights can help you to see and help other drivers see you if the weather is very misty or foggy.
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The Highway Code says you must use headlights when you can’t see for more than 100m in front of you.
- You can also use front or rear fog lights but this is optional.
- You must turn fog lights off when visibility improves so you don’t dazzle other drivers.
If you’re not sure, it’s best to use your common sense. You don't have to use fog lights, but your insurer might take issue if you're in an accident in poor visibility and they weren't on.
How to drive in fog
The Highway Code has guidelines for driving in fog. They explain what you should and shouldn’t do when it’s foggy, including:
What you should do
- Use dipped headlights, wipers and demisters.
- Use fog lights when you need to.
- Beware of other drivers not using headlights.
- Only drive as fast as conditions allow.
- Slow down so you can stop in the distance you can see clearly.
- Allow 3 seconds instead of 2 between you and the car in front.
- Check your mirrors before you slow down.
- Open your window to listen for traffic at junctions if you can’t see.
What you shouldn’t do:
- Don't rely on automatic lights – they might not come on in fog.
- Don't rely on daytime running lights alone – they only light the front.
- Don’t tail another car’s rear lights - it can give a false sense of security and it's dangerous.
- Don't speed up to get away from a vehicle that’s too close behind you.
Remember that when it’s foggy, it can be harder to tell if other vehicles are moving. Many accidents happen because drivers don’t realise that the car in front of them has stopped. That’s why it’s safer to slow down and leave a bigger stopping distance.
If it’s foggy or misty, the roads might also be wet, which means it could take longer to stop.
 Road closures for torchlight procession
On 5 November, the annual Wokingham Fireworks will be taking place at Cantley Park, a short walk from Wokingham Town Centre.
As is tradition, a torchlight procession will leave from Market Place in the town centre at 6pm and walk together to Cantley field, led by St Sebastian's band and various local dignitaries with thousands of attendees.
If you are not attending the procession, please be aware that there will be road closures from 6pm as the procession takes place, starting on Broad Street, going along Rectory Road, Glebelands Road, Milton Road and finishing on Twyford Road at the entrance to Cantley Park.
 Upcoming roadworks
Finchampstead
2-way lights – Jubilee Road, Finchampstead
The lights will be in place between The Village and Church Lane from 7 to 11 November. This is to allow SSE to install a service cable.
https://one.network/?GB131229910
Multi-way lights – Barkham Ride, Finchampstead
These lights will be in place at the junction with Nash Grove Lane on 8 November, 9.30am to 3pm. This is to allow Thames Water to carry out sewer cleaning.
https://one.network/?GB131191315
Hurst
Multi-way lights – Ward’s Cross, Hurst
These lights will be in place between Hogmoor Lane and Whistley Green from 7 November to 9 December. This is to allow SGN to install new pipework.
https://one.network/?GB131256486
Shinfield
2-way lights – Shinfield Road, Shinfield
The lights will be in place between Wilsford Close and Pearmans Gkade on 5 November, 9am to 2pm. This is to allow Cityfibre to clear a blockage on their network.
https://one.network/?GB131455193
Twyford
2-way lights – Hurst Road, Twyford
The lights will be in place at the junction of Byron Road on 8 to 18 November. This is to allow Network Rail to install vehicle incursion fencing.
https://one.network/?GB131439340
Woodley
Multi-way lights – Drovers Way, Woodley
These lights will be in place at the junction of Knowle Road and Drovers Way on 31 October to 11 November. This is to allow The Electricity Network to install a 11kv dual circuit to Winnersh Business Park.
https://one.network/?GB131490433
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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