Wokingham Borough Connect
There will be a change to the Traffic and Travel newsletter schedules due to pre-election period covering 24 March to 5 May.
Due to the pre-election period, there are specific restrictions on local authority communications. During this time, the newsletter will continue to be delivered to your inbox weekly, however will alternate between a lower number of articles and roadwork information only.
The next edition on 30 March will be roadworks only and the usual weekly schedule will resume 11 May.
![Market trader in Wokingham holding a bunch of flowers smiles while posing next to e-cargo bike](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2023/03/7325436/4638896/copy-of-granicus-newsletters-37_crop.png) New free bike hire scheme will deliver the goods
Businesses in Wokingham Borough, especially those carrying out multiple short trips, have the chance to try doing their deliveries on a special electric bicycle instead of driving.
My Journey Wokingham, our active travel team, have taken delivery of two Urban Arrow e-cargo bikes and want to loan them out free of charge on a trial basis for periods of either two or four weeks. Anyone wanting to find out more should email myjourney@wokingham.gov.uk.
These Urban Arrow models can carry between 300 and 600 litres of cargo and have a range of up to 45 miles, with a top assisted speed of just over 15mph, so can replace small delivery vehicles in many cases.
They have a lockable storage box attached and can be charged from the mains in about three hours. They offer a more convenient way for couriers to travel, with less waiting in traffic, and help businesses stand out from the crowd with their unique appearance.
They don't emit carbon dioxide or other air pollutants, making them far more environmentally friendly, while the electric motor ensures trips require less pedalling than a regular bike.
![Road sign on a post indicating no right turns allowed](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2022/11/6746679/4443363/no-right-hand-turn-sign_crop.png) Moving traffic offences get the green light
Our application to the Department for Transport to take on enforcement of moving traffic offences was given the green light by our decision making executive this week, meaning that if our application is successful, we can begin work right away.
The application was made following a consultation last year which showed that 55 per cent of respondents were in favour of us taking on these powers.
Moving traffic offenses, such as driving through a ‘No Entry’ sign, driving on routes that are for buses and taxis only, and turning left or right when instructed not to, are currently only enforceable by police.
If we’re successful, we will be able to issue penalty charge notices to motorists committing offences, with any income restricted to covering the cost of the programme and public transport, highway and environmental improvements.
Locations for enforcement would be prioritised based on whether moving traffic offences would make the area safer and reduce congestion.
Neighbouring authority Reading Borough Council have already started rolling out enforcement, as well as other towns and counties across the UK.
We expect to find out the results of our application in the Summer and will keep residents up to date on future plans.
![London Road cycleway finished](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2020/11/3863940/3284506/wbc-my-journey-014_crop.jpg) Next big step for our walking and cycling vision
We’ve published our long-term plan to make it safer, easier and more accessible for residents to walk and cycle around Wokingham Borough.
The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which was agreed on Tuesday (21 March), identifies which local routes would help more people get around actively and suggests ways of improving them.
Some money is set aside to start works, but nothing’s set in stone as the plan will always be open to updates and nothing would go ahead without consulting residents again.
By publishing our vision for the years to come, following public consultation, we’ll be best placed to secure funding for any improvements – helping the environment as well as individual residents.
Schemes could include better lighting, wider footways or cycleways, routes fully separated from the roads, better crossings, dropped kerbs, pedestrianised areas, wider junctions, new bridges, reduced speed limits, tactile pavements and more.
![The carnival multi-storey car park entrance in wokingham town centre](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2022/05/5961051/3_original.png) Parking fee increase will protect frontline services
We’re raising off-street car parking fees in Wokingham Borough for the first time in five years so we can keep our roads and footways well maintained without affecting vital frontline services.
The raise was agreed on Tuesday (21 March) to ensure we continue to protect our most vulnerable residents through tough financial times.
We sought people's views for more than a month while drawing up a traffic order to enable the increase, but after going through every comment we found no valid reason not to proceed.
We know this change isn't welcome, but we’re expecting a big shortfall in income from parking as more people work from home and we’ve got to make this up.
We revised the proposal based on residents’ feedback and even after the change, which is long overdue and should come into effect later this year, our fees will still be in line with many similar areas.
![Temporary traffic lights](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKWOKBC/2021/01/4024807/3361304/temp-traffic-lights-1_crop.jpeg) Upcoming roadworks
Arborfield
Multi-way lights – Sheerlands Road, Arborfield
These lights will be in place between Nine Mile Ride Extension and Weaver Ave on 28 March, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to repair a cable.
Multi-way lights – Eversley Road, Arborfield
These lights will be in place at the junction of Harts Close, 28 March, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to remove a post in safety.
https://one.network/?GB133272495
Barkham
Road Closure – Commonfield Lane, Barkham
The closure will be in place between Biggs Lane and Barkham Ride from 29 to 31 March. This is to allow Openreach to install a new joint box.
Binfield
Road Closure – Binfield Road, Binfield
The closure will be in place between Forest Road and Diamond Jubilee Way on 28 March, 8am to 6pm. This is to allow Openreach to replace a pole on the verge.
Earley
Multi-way lights – Wokingham Road, Earley
These lights will be in place at the junction of Loddon Bridge Road on 29 March, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to replace bollards and street lanterns.
Road Closure – Gipsy Lane, Earley
The closure will be in place between Rushey Way and Mill Lane overnight, 31 March to 1 April, 9pm to 6am.This is for resurfacing works.
These lights will be in place between High Tree Drive and Eastcourt Ave on 27 March, 9am to 3pm. This is to allow Gigaclear carry out surveys on fibre optic cables.
Remenham Hill
2-way lights – Henley Road, Remenham Hill
The lights will be in place between Cullham Lane and Rose Lane from 27 to 28 March, 9.30am to 3.30pm. This is to allow Gigaclear to excavate the road crossing.
Twyford
Multi-way lights – London Road, Twyford
These lights will be in place between New Road and Russett Gardens on 28 March, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to fit a new lantern.
Road Closure – High Street, Twyford
The closure will be in place between Weavers Way and Wargrave Road from 3 to 4 April. This is to allow TWG to connect a new domestic water supply.
2-way lights – Easthampstead Road, Wokingham
The lights will be in place between Heathlands Road and Ludgrove, from 26 to 29 March. This is to allow Gigaclear to excavate a blocked duct.
Multi-way lights – Keephatch Road, Wokingham
These lights will be in place at the junction of Warren House Road from 27 March to 6 April. This is to allow CityFibre to install ducting and chambers for fibre optic cables.
Road Closure – Commons Road, Wokingham
The closure will be in place between Corfield Green and Old Forest Road on 1 April. This is to carry out resurfacing works.
Road Closure – Seaford Road, Wokingham
The closure will be in place between Wescott Road and London Road from1 to 2 April, 8am to 6pm. This is for resurfacing works.
Road Closure – Gipsy Lane, Wokingham
The closure will be in place between Erica Drive and Fairview Rd from 29 to 30 March. This is to allow Openreach to replace three poles.
Road Closure – Barkham Road, Wokingham
The closure will be in place at Wokingham Town Centre level crossing between 2am on 2 April and 2am on 3 April. This is to allow NWR to inspect and change rails.
Woodley
Multi-way lights – Bath Road, Woodley
These lights will be in place at the junction of A4 Bath Road on 30 March, 9.30am to 4pm. This is to repair a cable.
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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