 Have your say - potential new A329 cycleway
We want your views on the second stage of a proposed cycling and walking link from Wokingham town centre to Winnersh, this time between Emmbrook Road to Mill Close on the A329 Reading Road.
We’re consulting until 21 December on this section, which we hope will form part of a new 1.6-mile (2.5km) route along the main road. It’s one of many improvements outlined in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and would be externally funded.
This second phase, incorporating Woosehill Spine Road junction, could include new toucan crossings to help you to cross the roundabout safely, either on foot or by bike, without having to use the subway. Detailed drawings of the second phase can be found on Engage Wokingham Borough.
If work goes ahead, the full route would run from Sadler’s Lane, near the M4 overbridge at Winnersh, to the western end of Broad Street in Wokingham. It would have a segregated cycle track, separate from both the pavement and the road, and other safety features.
Traffic would remain two-way but the speed limit would be reduced to 30mph.
Design work is being paid for through the Government’s Active Travel Fund. If it's built then this would be externally funded.
 Museum move, spooky shenanigans and more...
There's tons of exciting news coming out of our major new communities at Shinfield parish and the former Arborfield Garrison.
The Natural History Museum has submitted plans, pictured above, for a cutting-edge, multi-million pound research centre at Thames Valley Science Park, which could support research into major global issues including climate change.
We're accepting comments on these proposals until Wednesday, 13 December and are expecting separate plans for an access road to follow.
Shinfield on the silver screen
Shinfield Studios, also at Thames Valley Science Park, has just been used by Sony Pictures to film the new Ghostbusters movie and also recently won Project of the Year in the Royal Berkshire Property Awards.
The science park, owned by the University of Reading, will soon also be home to the British Museum's Archaeological Research Centre - and this came runner-up in the same category of the awards.
New shop within walking distance?
Finally, Sainsbury's has just submitted plans for a new food store as part of the upcoming district centre at Arborfield Green. This would have lots of features for pedestrians and cyclists to encourage more sustainable travel.
Our team will add this to our planning portal within the next few days, so keep checking back as we'll be inviting comments on this.
Infrastructure News is taking a short break from its regular four-weekly schedule over the Christmas period. It will next come out on Wednesday, 10 January, and will then return to its usual schedule.
You can subscribe to our other newsletters, which are also winding down over Christmas before reverting to their normal schedules in 2024.
 We've got the power with new vehicle chargers
Electric vehicle chargepoints are now available in 18 more locations thanks to a £173,500 contribution from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV).
We’ve installed them in residential streets and car parks - and Flowbird, the supplier, is also helping towards the cost, ensure no cost to Council Taxpayers.
They work on using Flowbird’s pay-as-you-go smartphone app, which is free and easy to use, and are available around the clock. You’ll find them at:
- Wokingham - William Heelas Way, Pigott Road, St Paul’s Gate and Rose Street, Denmark Street and Cockpit Path car parks
- Twyford - Station Road, Polehampton Close (East) permit holders’ car park
- Earley - Westminster Way, Maiden Place, Station Road car park
- Winnersh – Chatsworth Avenue
- Woodley - Wheble Drive, Pitford Road and Headley Road car parks
- Arborfield - Bramshill Close
- Finchampstead - Roycroft Lane
- Wargrave - Braybrooke Road
Our thanks to Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) and VolkerHighways for supporting the installation works.
These chargepoints will help residents to adopt electric vehicles, in turn helping us honour our climate emergency goals. We’re applying for more OZEV funding soon, so if you think your street could benefit then let us know.
 Cook at home or eat out as new businesses open
Our multi-million pound regeneration of Wokingham town centre has brought two new businesses to the area for food enthusiasts.
A grand opening has taken place to celebrate the opening of German retailer Kütchenhaus, above, a state-of-the-art kitchen showroom, in Elms Walk.
Kütchenhaus signed a new lease with us earlier this year. Its 994 sq ft showroom showcases appliances from AEG, NEFF, Caple, ASKO and more.
 Meanwhile Grilko, above, a new, independent and family-owned Mediterranean restaurant, has opened at Peach Place.
Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, this independent restaurant offers freshly made food including chicken, lamb, vegan and vegetarian dishes.
It offers both indoor and outdoor dining, plus a private area which seats up to 50 people, and would suit either private parties or business functions.
 Twyford library plans reaching new chapter
Twyford’s new library remains on track to open next year.
The new library will be located in the former Old Polehampton Boys school building, helping breathe new life into this listed historic landmark and bringing it back into community use.
On opening it will offer residents a fantastic new space with a large flexible conversion of the main hall and a new children’s library space. Users will also benefit from other popular library features including free access to computers.
Find your nearest library and find out about upcoming events on our website.
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