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Traffic and Travel

Wokingham Borough Connect

Safer path to station would put green ambitions on track

A new traffic-free walking and cycling route could be built between Twyford and Charvil if our bid for funding is successful.

We’re seeking a multi-million pound contribution towards the scheme from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund as part of our wider pledge to tackle air pollution and the climate emergency by making active travel easier.

This would go towards a 1.4km off-road route between Twyford railway station and Charvil via Loddon Nature Reserve and Charvil Country Park, along the northern side of the railway track. Work would have to finish by March 2026 to meet funding requirements but the aim would be to finish sooner.

The route would eventually form part of a proposed link between Twyford and the borough’s western boundary at Palmer Park, on the outskirts of Reading, via Charvil and Woodley, also including a proposed section from Woodley to Reading which we’re now looking at revised designs for.

On top of reducing air pollution in areas like Twyford, which we’ve designated an Air Quality Management Area, as well as carbon emissions, this will address the root causes of congestion and make healthier travel more affordable at a time of rising living costs.

We’re looking to improve links across the borough as part of our draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, a long-term strategic vision that we’ll be publishing soon.

What happens at a road traffic collision?

Ever wondered how the fire and ambulance services deal with a road traffic collision?

This Sunday (20 November), Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service will be staging a road traffic collision as part of Road Safety Week 2022.

Visitors will be able to watch the different techniques that are used, meet the crews and get some tips for staying safe on the roads.

The demonstration will take place in the Market Place in Wokingham from 10am on Sunday 20 November.

For more safety tips and to watch a video of how emergency teams work together at a traffic collision, vist the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service webpage.

Practice fire drill

A fire crew from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be carrying out a practice drill at our Carnival multi-storey car park in Wokingham town from 7.15pm on 21 November.

This will only take place in part of the building, with the rest remaining open as usual and helpers will be there on the night. Don't be alarmed if you see "smoke" coming from the building, as this is all part of the drill!

Rail strikes this weekend

Please be aware that there is planned strike action taking place on 19 and 21 November at the Thames Valley Signalling Centre in Didcot.

This will significantly impact those wishing to travel by train in, out and around the borough, and Network Rail expect disruption on the days following the strikes.

Please check before you travel and make alternative arrangements where necessary.

Gritting season starts next week

Next week (21 November) our winter service plan for highways begins and will be in place until the end of March 2023, setting out how we look after our roads during cold weather to keep them as safe as possible.

Roads in the borough are split across three tiers, primary routes, secondary routes and a 'third tier salting network', which you can see in our winter service plan.

Primary routes will be gritted as a precaution based on information we get from the weather service, while secondary routes will only be gritted during particularly severe and hazardous weather conditions. Third tier roads will only be gritted after extreme snow.

We get daily updates from our contractor, Volkers, who tell us if and which routes they are planning to grit that day. We then share this with you on our traffic and travel Facebook and Twitter pages.

Be bright, be seen

Now that the clocks have gone back, it is starting to get darker much earlier in the day. Be Bright Be Seen and help keep yourself safe.

Roadwise has some great tips to help you, whether you are a pedestrian, a cyclist or driving a vehicle.

My Journey Wokingham are giving children the chance to win high-vis jackets for all of their class in their Be Bright Be Seen quiz - see how many they get right and learn something new along the way!

Upcoming roadworks

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 
• 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.