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Traffic and Travel

Wokingham Borough Connect

Planning ahead to reduce flooding

Did you know that proper drainage is crucial in preventing road damage and flooding, especially during heavy rain?

One of the techniques we use to maintain road safety is grip cutting. This involves creating small channels, known as "grips," along the sides of rural or unpaved roads.

These grips help water flow off the road surface, reducing the risk of flooding, erosion, and potholes forming..

But that's just one part of the bigger picture. Across the borough, we actively maintain an extensive network of drainage assets to keep water flowing away from roads and footpaths. This includes:

• 35,000 road gullies (road drains) that help collect and direct surface water away from the streets
• 4,500 manholes that provide access to the underground drainage systems for inspections and cleaning
• A vast network of pipework connecting all these together to ensure smooth water flow and prevent blockages

Beech Lane (Earley) after last weeks rainfall

How you can help reduce flooding in the borough

While our teams work year-round to maintain drainage systems, we rely on your cooperation as residents to ensure everything runs smoothly, especially during unpredictable weather.

Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Check nearby ditches and gullies: Leaves, litter, and debris can easily block drainage systems, causing localised flooding. If you see a blocked drain near your home or on your regular routes, you can help by reporting it to us
• Be mindful of where you park: Parking over gullies can prevent proper maintenance or cleaning, leading to future blockages
• Garden waste and runoff: Ensure that water from your garden or driveway isn’t directed straight onto the street, as this can overwhelm the drainage system. Simple landscaping measures, such as permeable paving or drainage-friendly planting, can help

You can report a drainage problem via our website, whether it’s a blocked gully, a slow-draining road, or water pooling in unusual areas.

SGN Works: A329 London Road, Wokingham

A329(M) overnight closures update

The A329(M) will now be closed for two nights for maintenance such as grass cutting and litter-picking, starting tonight.

• Thursday 3 October- road closed from Winnersh/Woodley to M4 slip road - 8pm to 6am
• Friday 4 October - road closed from M4 slip road to Winnersh/Woodley - 8pm to 6am

Upcoming roadworks

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 projects page for plans and updates
• For information on re-surfacing and reactive carriageway repairs visit our pothole and road repairs page 
• 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
• You can track the progress of any issue you have reported with your reference number
• 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