Wokingham Borough Connect
 Keeping our borough clean
In October our anti-social behaviour (ASB) Team received 43 abandoned vehicle reports.
We've recently updated our policy regarding 'abandoned' vehicles. We only investigate abandoned vehicles that meet one or more criteria:
- It has no keeper on DVLA’s database and is untaxed
- It’s stationary for eight weeks or more
- It’s significantly damaged, run down or unroadworthy - for example has flat tyres, missing wheels or broken windows
- It’s burned out
- A number plate is missing
Untaxed vehicles that are being kept/used on the public highway that do not meet any of the above criteria should be reported to the DVLA.
If a vehicle meets our criteria please report it online.
 Know the law around e-scooters
It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in public spaces, including on the road. Those who are found to be riding privately owned e-scooters in public risk receiving a large fine, points on their driving licence and seizure of their e-scooter.
Parents who are thinking of buying their child an e-scooter for Christmas need to be aware of the legislation around them as it may be seized if your child is riding it on the pavement or road.
Officers regularly receive complaints from members of the public around the misuse of these vehicles, due to riders driving carelessly and at excessive speeds. This causes significant risks to both the rider and pedestrians, as well as others using roads or footpaths.
There are also issues surrounding the fire risk from the lithium batteries used to power e-bikes and e-scooters that owners need to be aware of - 199 fires resulting in 10 fatalities were reported in 2023.
 M4 junction 11 slip closure
National Highways will be finishing off drainage works on the M4 junction 11 westbound exit slip road.
The slip road will be closed overnight from Monday 9 December for five nights between 10pm and 6am.
 Be aware around floods
During the recent floods, a motorist got trapped in their car with their dog in Grazeley and had to be rescued by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
We want to remind you of the steps you can take to keep yourself safe:
- If the road is flooded, turn around and find another route. The number one cause of death during flooding is driving through flood water, safest advice is turn around, don't drown
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Although water may seem shallow, just 12 inches (30cm) of moving water can float your car, potentially taking it to deeper water from which you may need rescuing
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Flood water contains hidden hazards which can damage your car, and just an egg-cupful of water sucked into your car's engine will lead to severe damage
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Avoid walking through floodwater, even shallow moving water can knock you off your feet
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Keep children and pets away from flood water - it contains hidden dangers such as heavy debris, sharp objects, open manhole covers, sewage and chemicals
 Good luck to our highways team
The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) performance networks has announced Wokingham Borough Council as a finalist in their best performer categories for the 2024 awards.
The Highways & Transport team has been shortlisted for the best performer in the Roads, Highways and Winter Maintenance category together with six other local authorities.
This is a result of our continuous improvement programme which, together with our alliance partners VolkerHighways and WSP, helps us to provide an improved and efficient service to our residents whilst maintaining safety which remains our number one priority.
APSE is a not for profit local government body working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority front line services.
The prestigious Performance Networks awards takes place on Thursday 5 December.
 Upcoming roadworks
Charvil
2-way lights – Park Lane
We'll be carrying out drainage works between A3032 and The Hawthorns from 9 to 13 December, 9.30am and 3pm.
https://one.network/?GB141163721
Earley
Multi-way lights - Wilderness Road
BT will be clearing debris from a chamber with rolling traffic lights between Beech Lane and Whiteknights Road from 9 to 12 December, 11pm to 5pm.
https://one.network/?GB140820805
Road Closure – Church Road
We'll be carrying out carriageway patching between Wokingham Road and Heath Road on 13 December from 8pm to 11pm.
https://one.network/?GB141291390
Wokingham
Road Closure – Rectory Road
We'll be carrying out carriageway improvements between Glebelands Road and Wiltshire Road from 9 to 14 December, 8pm to 6am.
https://one.network/?GB140820823
Wiltshire Road
We'll be carrying out carriageway improvements between Rectory Road and Norreys Avenue from 9 to 14 December, 8pm to 6am.
https://one.network/?GB140820858
Multi-way Lights – Easthampstead Road
We'll be working on the carriageway at the junction with Heathlands Road between 9 and 20 December, 9.30am to 4pm.
https://one.network/?GB141070256
https://one.network/?GB141072309
Woodley
Multi-way lights – Reading Road
BT will be installing fibre optics at the junction with Elmwood Close from 9 to 11 December.
https://one.network/?GB141264616
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
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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
- 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
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