Wokingham Borough Connect
 Help us make travel healthier, safer and greener
We're consulting on our new Local Transport Plan, a "big picture" strategy that looks at how we'll maintain routes and seek funding for all kinds of improvements over the years to come.
The plan aims to make walking, cycling and taking public transport more attractive, in line with the Government's aim of increasing active travel nationwide, which will improve people's health while reducing air pollution and carbon emissions.
It recognises that driving is sometimes necessary, but suggests improvements to make the alternatives simpler and safer both in towns and rural areas. This is alongside ideas like providing more electric vehicle chargepoints.
Proposals, which are subject to further consultation and external funding, include changing speed limits, providing more cycling and walking routes, improving local bus services, making space for pedestrians and more.
We'll take your comments from the survey into account before making any changes. We're hoping to adopt the plan in late summer next year.
 Still time to comment on planned cycling and walking route
We also want your views on the second stage of a proposed cycling and walking link from Wokingham town to Winnersh, this time between Emmbrook Road and Mill Close on the A329 Reading Road.
We’re consulting until Thursday, 21 December on this section, which could form part of a new 1.6-mile (2.5km) route along the main road. It would be externally funded, with designs already paid for by the Government's Active Travel Fund.
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.
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 the pavement and the road, and other safety features. Traffic would remain two-way but the speed limit would be reduced to 30mph.
 Free bus travel this festive season
If you board a bus in Wokingham Borough on Saturday 23 December, you won’t need to pay. If you’re travelling outside the borough, you'll need to pay for your return journey, unless a similar scheme is in place in the area where you board.
This is only on local buses run by Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses and won’t apply on services like park and rides or football specials.
For the latest updates, including bus times over the Christmas holidays, please visit the bus operators' websites:
Park and Ride now up and running
Winnersh Triangle park and ride is now running every 20 minutes on Saturdays only into central Reading. Details of fares and parking costs can be found here.
The service will run until at least April 2024. We’d like to extend it to weekdays as well, depending on passenger numbers.
Funding for this renewed Reading Buses service is time-limited, so it must become commercially viable by March 2025 or it might have to stop again.
Coppid Beech opens to public
Coppid Beech car park is now open seven days a week, including bank holidays.
There are 251 spaces, including 18 with electric vehicle charging points. Each can charge up to a maximum of 7kW and is available all day.
Charging and parking may be paid for through the Flowbird park and charge mobile application which can be downloaded to any smartphone via your app store. Normal parking charges apply.
Parking Charges
Daily Charges (6am to 6pm)
- Parking for up to 4 hours: £1.50
- Parking for over 4 hours: £3.00
- Parking for up to 24 hours: £4.00
Overnight Charges (6pm to 6am)
All passengers parking at Coppid Beech must register and pay for parking at the on-site machines.
Park and Ride Service
For passengers wishing to park and travel by bus, Reading Buses Lion 4/X4 service is available from the Keephatch Beech bus stops on the London Road. The bus stops are a short walk from the car park. All passengers, including concessionary passholders, must pay the appropriate parking charge.
 Ready to get active this December?
There are loads of active swaps you can make to help you switch the car for a healthier way of getting around. Here are some great opportunities:
Winter Wheelers Cycling Challenge
Gear up for the Winter Wheelers cycling challenge by Love to Ride. You can sign up for free and log your December rides with access to courses, tips, and the chance to win exciting prizes throughout the season.
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, this challenge is for everyone’s wintry adventures – and why not ask friends or family members to join you?
Faster trips with speed route maps
Discover quicker ways to travel from Woosehill or Woodley to Wokingham by active travel. Explore our latest speed routes and choose an active alternative to your car journey. Plus, look out for our speed route animations on our social media channels - where you can follow along with the route!
Commute in the fresh air
Why not swap the car journey for walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling to work in the crisp winter air? The morning exercise will set you for the day and help reduce pollution in your area.
Learn more about making healthy changes as part of our ongoing Active Swaps campaign, which is kindly funded by the Government. For regular handy hints, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
 App offers festive rewards for active trips
There’s still time to take part in the Christmas countdown by signing up to BetterPoints, the free smartphone app that logs your active journeys and gives you points to swap for prizes or charity donations.
Every friend you refer will earn you an entry into a draw for 10,000 BetterPoints (£10) - plus a £20 donation to a local charity of your choice. We're picking winners every Friday in December. By giving BetterPoints to friends, family and colleagues, you could win for yourself and your favourite local cause!
You can also win £50 in BetterPoints in our daily Christmas Countdown draws. Every car-free trip of half a mile or more will earn up to four entries. Walk, cycle and use public transport whenever you can for the best chance of winning.
And don’t forget – we support BetterPoints through our ongoing My Journey Wokingham challenge on the app, so there’ll be loads of chances to win more rewards in the New Year!
 Pupils plant free fruit trees for cleaner air
During National Tree Week (25 November to 3 December), five Wokingham Borough schools planted fruit trees in their grounds. These were kindly donated by local charity, Freely Fruity.
Taking part were:
- The Hawthorns Primary School, Wokingham
- St Crispin's School, Wokingham
- Westende Junior School, Wokingham
- Hawkedon Primary School, Lower Earley
- Evendons Primary School, Wokingham
All five are taking part in our Air Quality Schools scheme, funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). In return, £74 was donated to Freely Fruity by people taking part in our BetterPoints challenge (see article above).
More than 4,900 active journeys were recorded during National Tree Week, and every bonus reward earned was match funded with a gift to the charity. Matt Knight, Freely Fruity’s co-founder, has thanked everyone for their efforts.
Trees protect us from air pollution by removing harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide while providing clean oxygen to breathe.
Looking into air quality at St Crispin's
Year 9 students at St Crispin's School in Wokingham, another of our six air quality schools this year, enjoyed some fantastic fieldwork with our air quality officer.
Science club students measured levels of nitrogen dioxide gas, which causes a range of serious health problems, around the school site at the end of the day using air pollution monitors.
They also learned about how we can reduce air pollution levels in Wokingham, like walking, wheeling, cycling or taking public transport to school instead of driving.
St Crispin’s students and staff are now creating a sustainable travel plan as part of the national Modeshift STARS scheme. Any other schools interested in taking part are welcome to contact us.
 Amelia’s bright idea wins safety competition
Our “be bright, be seen” competition was very popular among our primary school pupils. We challenged them to create a logo highlighting the importance of wearing bright colours to stay visible when walking, cycling or scooting in winter.
The winner was Amelia from Sonning Primary School, who wins a set of high vis jackets printed with her design for her whole class.
Freya from Emmbrook Junior School in Wokingham town and Luisa from Gorse Ride Junior School, Finchampstead, were chosen as the runners-up. Freya and Luisa have each won a My Journey themed goody bag.
Annual convention inspires ideas to boost active travel
Our My Journey Wokingham team attended the Modeshift STARS annual convention in November 2023. The event was held at York Racecourse, and delegates from all over the country attended.
The two day event included presentations on topics like creating active communities, the role of technology in transport, working with other organisations and improving infrastructure like walking and cycling routes.
This will help us find ways to encourage more people to travel sustainably, which is good for everyone’s mental and physical health and will help us meet our climate emergency commitments.
Top award for bike trainer who rode the extra mile
A much-loved cycling instructor who taught thousands of children to ride before retiring from our active travel team has been honoured by a national charity.
Jill Bissell, who stepped down in August after 15 years’ service, won the Lifetime Achievement title in this year’s Celebration of Bikeability awards.
During her time with us, she introduced Bikeability training for primary schools and we were later named the scheme’s Local Authority Partner of the Year for the high number of children taking part.
The Bikeability Trust enjoys a close and long-standing relationship with us thanks to her efforts, and will present her with a plaque in the New Year.
Jill, who lives locally with her husband and recently became a grandmother, said she was shocked but delighted to have won and proud to have helped so many young residents to ride safely.
 Wrapping up warm for Balance Bike Club
Young children had festive fun wearing Christmas jumpers at this year’s final Balance Bike Club session.
The scheme teaches two- to four-year-olds how to use balance bikes in a fun way by using games and encouraging them to join in when they feel ready.
The classes are friendly, often busy but most importantly fun as they allow children to get familiar with their bikes and to work on their balance at their own pace.
We often see successes, with parents telling us that their three-year olds start riding pedal bikes after taking part.
These free classes take place weekly on Wednesdays during term-time at FBC, Finchampstead. This class is sponsored by Complete Childcare
We also run weekly sessions on Thursdays during term-time at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Woodley. Booking is essential and you can book on our website.
 New year, new job? Help children make a safe start riding
We’re looking for two cycle training assistants for our cycle training for children aged two and over.
We run Balance Bike Club and Learn to Ride sessions at FBC, Finchampstead on Wednesday afternoons during term-time only. We also run the same sessions at Woodford Park Leisure Centre on Thursday afternoons.
The role would suit someone who enjoys cycling and wants to be involved in a rewarding role in the community.
The pay is £16.65 per hour for three hours’ work and bike mechanic skills would also be useful. Please email us if you’d like to know more.
 Regular Activities and Events
- FREE Balance Bike Club at FBC (Wednesdays) which is sponsored by Complete Childcare
- FREE Balance Bike Club at Woodford Park Leisure Centre (Thursdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£6) at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£6) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- Dr Bike at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Woodley (between 2.30-3.30pm - booking essential)
For more information on our regular cycle training and activities, visit our website.
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