Wokingham Borough Connect
Grant powers our electric vehicle dreams
We’ve been awarded £264,000 by the Government to install more electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints in Wokingham Borough.
This comes from a Department for Transport (DfT) fund set up to help councils improve provision in areas that don’t have off-street parking.
We’re preparing an initial list of locations before going out to tender for a supplier, which we hope to appoint later this year.
The DfT has already given us £282,000 to plan the rollout of new chargepoints. This latest grant will fund installation work, with match funding from the supplier.
It’ll help us work towards our climate emergency goals without impacting our own finances, and we can’t spend the money on anything else.
We recently installed chargepoints at 18 locations in the borough, thanks to £173,500 from the DfT and contributions from supplier Flowbird.
If your area doesn’t have much off-street parking, and you’d like a charger nearby, please email us to be considered.
Don’t create a trip hazard!
If you’ve got an EV, please remember you can’t charge it on the street by trailing a cable across the pavement. Even if you cover it, it’s still obstructing the highway and could hurt someone if they trip – and you could be fined or be held legally liable.
California Cross improvements on track
The new and improved California Cross at Finchampstead is taking shape, with work to create an attractive village centre for everyone - and improved road infrastructure - on track.
These improvements, which come at no cost to local taxpayers, will create an appealing and safe centre that works well for people walking, cycling or driving.
The condition of the road and overall quality of the footpaths meant the junction would have needed investment soon, so the work includes replacing and upgrading infrastructure like drainage and gullies to ensure that major upheaval isn’t needed in the near future.
Once the work is complete, there will be a three-year protection to stop utility companies digging up the road except in an emergency. This, along with the new drainage and tarmac, should mean a long period where the crossroads will not experience any roadworks.
The project is going well and on schedule to have the roads re-opened in early summer. Anyone who wants more detailed updates can sign up to our dedicated California Cross newsletter.
Supporting local businesses
We know there has been local disruption and an impact on businesses from the work, so have been working to minimise this and support the businesses by:
- Maintaining access to businesses at all times
- Providing clear signage to show shops are open and let people know how to get to them
- Meeting businesses daily to discuss deliveries and plan work around these where possible
- Making sure teams working on site use the local businesses every day
- Promoting local businesses with wider communications, including social media posts, to encourage residents and others to support their local shops and businesses
Backing applications for rate relief
Any directly affected businesses can apply to the national Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for a temporary reduction to their business rates.
Full details on how to apply are available on the Government's website and we will be writing to the VOA to support local businesses’ case.
Photo credit: Wokingham Aerial Photography / Graham Hornby / Ian Rodwell / Nick Baldwin / Stuart Wilson
Tan House Footbridge delay
We have received an update from Network Rail contractors on the installation of the new Tan House Footbridge, which was due to open this week.
Due to delays early on in the project, the steps to the bridge now won't be installed until the end of April.
We will update when we have more information on a completion date.
All aboard the ArborFinch Bike Bus!
An organised group cycle from Arborfield to Finchampstead via the California Greenway will take place at 8am tomorrow (Friday, 22 March).
It will be the first trial run of the ArborFinch Bike Bus, which has timetabled stops along the way and is mostly aimed at families with children at Gorse Ride and Nine Mile Ride primary schools in Finchampstead.
However, all families are welcome to take part. By moving as one large group, the "bus" provides a safe and easy environment for people to cycle - and keeps everyone clearly visible to other road users.
This is particularly important at busy commuting times, when people may feel less confident cycling. It's also a great chance to get some fresh air and travel alongside friends while travelling actively to and from school.
Upcoming roadworks
Pothole repairs
Pothole repairs will be taking place on roads across the borough in the next few days. Road closures will need to be in place while the work is carried out, but it is expected this will only be for a few hours.
For more information visit the links below:
Beggars Hill Road, Charvil
Waltham Road, Ruscombe
Denton Road, Wokingham
Charvil
2-way lights - Old Bath Road, Charvil
Thames Water will be putting the lights in place between A4 and Park Lane from 25 to 28 March to allow for a new customer connection.
https://one.network/?GB137608322
Earley
2-way lights - Rushey Way Earley
T-Mobile will be putting the lights in place near Toseland Way on 27 March from 10am to 3.30pm to carry out testing and maintenance works to a telegraph pole.
https://one.network/?GB137642828
Hurst
Multi-way lights - Wokingham Road, Hurst
Thames Water will be putting the lights in place at the junction with Beech Court from 27 to 29 March to carry out utility repair and maintenance works. https://one.network/?GB137971331
Lower Earley
2-way lights - Lower Earley Way, Lower Earley
We'll be replacing a signpost between Beeston Way and Meldreth Way on 25 March from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
https://one.network/?GB137980540
Ruscombe
Road Closure - Waltham Road Ruscombe
Gigaclear will be closing the road between Castle End Road and the boundary from 27 to 29 March to allow Gigaclear to locate and clear blockages in the verge.
https://one.network/?GB137934637
Winnersh
2-way lights - Reading Road, Winnersh
We will be carrying out drainage repairs near Greenacres Lane from 25 to 27 March from 10am to 3.30pm.
https://one.network/?GB137898836
Wokingham
Multi way lights - Warren House Road, Wokingham
Thames Water will be putting the lights in place at the junction with Lonsdale Road on 27 March from 9.30am to 4pm to allow pump installation works.
https://one.network/?GB137883595
Woodley
Road Closure - Butts Hill Road, Woodley
Thames Water will be closing the road between Western Avenue and Maple Grove from 25 to 26 March to allow for a new customer connection.
https://one.network/?GB137619212
2-way lights - Miles Way, Woodley
We'll be installing a new post, a new road crossing and carrying out trenching in the footway near to Spitfire Way roundabout (with Comet Way and Vicount Way) from 27 to 28 March between 9.30am and 3.30pm.
https://one.network/?GB137848908
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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