Wokingham Borough Connect
 What's coming up
We will begin lifting the pavement along Nine Mile Ride outside of Cresswells Garage. Access to the garage for drivers and pedestrians will be maintained at all times.
Works will also continue to link up the new drainage network into the existing system along Finchampstead Road.
Drainage works continue outside Londis Red Oak Store and Bob's Fish and Chip Shop and we will soon be in a position to reinstate access to their car park from Finchampstead Road.
Once we switch access back to Finchampstead Road, access will no longer be available to this car park from Nine Mile Ride. We will keep you posted on any changes to the current set up.
Pedestrian access will continue to be maintained throughout and signage in relation to this car park will be updated.
Local business owners have been made aware and we ask you to continue to support your local businesses throughout this project.
 What's been happening so far
A further drainage survey of the existing network, including pipes, gullies and man holes, has been carried out to ensure there are no blockages or breakages prior to linking this up with the new drainage network.
New gullies have been dug out along Finchampstead Road towards the Ratepayers Hall which have been connected to the existing drainage network. We have also drilled through the existing manholes to link them through to the new drainage pipes.
 Current project status
We are currently in phase one of the California Crossroads Improvement Project which is due to be completed in May 2024.
Phase one was originally scheduled to be completed by 8 May however, as we have reported previously, the project team have uncovered a lot of electrical, gas and water pipes over the past few weeks that were not visible on any plans provided by the utility companies.
This has meant the team have had to hand dig rather than use machines in many areas to ensure the safety of our team and to prevent damage to these vital services.
This, together with heavy rainfall, has caused delays. We are confident that this time can be made up in phase two and three of the project which would allow us to complete the project on schedule prior to the schools reopening after the summer holidays.
Actions to bring the project back on schedule are being considered. At this stage it is not pragmatic to increase working hours, but this will remain under review throughout the project.
There is significantly deeper excavation works being carried out during this current phase. It is hoped that with the excavation works being carried out in the later phases at a shallower depth, there will be less unforeseen issues that the team will need to contend with.
 Utility works in the area
As you may be aware, following multiple gas leaks, SGN are currently carrying out important works to replace the existing metal gas mains in the Finchampstead area.
SGN has advised that these pipe have reached the end of their useful life and need to be replaced with new yellow plastic pipe that’s designed to last for 80 years.
Works are due to finish on New Wokingham Road by 14 April and as they have finished ahead of schedule, they will be moving on to Nine Mile Ride on 10 April.
Rolling temporary traffic lights will be in place between New Wokingham Road and the railway bridge and these gas mains upgrades are due to be completed on 30 August.
For more information on these works, you can contact SGN on 0800 912 1700 or via email.
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