Wokingham Borough Connect
 Above: Easthampstead Road shortly before last month's tree clearance work started
First steps under way in building new road
Our partners at Balfour Beatty are making progress on the initial enabling works to allow them to complete the South Wokingham Distributor Road.
Easthampstead Road is now open again, following a brief period of closure to allow the crews to clear vegetation and create temporary site entrances.
This was slightly delayed from its original reopening date due to heavy rain and flooding, which set work behind, and we're thankful for your patience.
During this time, the team also dug investigative holes in the road to help identify underground utilities and minimise the risk of damaging them.
They will now be pressing ahead with further tree and hedge clearance works, with a view to starting main construction works in the spring.
In the long term, we're planning a lot more planting and landscaping to make up for trees and hedges that were cleared in these early stages.
Don't forget - you can get more details about this project in our South Wokingham community newsletter, so sign up if you're interested.
 Above: the junction on Finchampstead Road where the roundabout will be improved from later this year
When will my journey next be affected?
Although main works are expected to start this spring, subject to final confirmation, we aren't expecting major closures or diversions until later in the year.
We’ll let you know the exact timings as soon as we can, and with plenty of notice, so please keep watching this space.
There'll be closures and diversions at the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road for several months as we build a larger roundabout on land to the south-west, behind the blue hoardings pictured above.
We’ll also be making pedestrian and cycling improvements, including wider paths and improved crossings, to ensure everyone benefits.
We'll only close one entrance to the junction at a time, rather than close it all at once.
We'll also be shutting Easthampstead Road, between the Waterloo Road and Heathlands Road junctions including the level crossing, for several months while we build a junction with the new distributor road.
This is likely to start some time after the closures at Molly Millars Lane.
 A safe new heart for popular village centre
Following the completion of our California Crossroads improvement works at Finchampstead last year, we're still committed to monitoring the junction.
We installed cameras in October to take a close look at how people are using the new layout and features, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, and we aim to finish this review by the end of the month.
In transforming this well-used space, which reopened last autumn, we set out to create a pleasant, safe environment with a stronger sense of identity while slowing traffic and making pedestrians more visible.
Keeping everyone safe is our top priority - and our observations show that we’re achieving that, just like similar schemes at Poynton in Cheshire, central Coventry and Ponders End in London.
An innovative way to make it safer for everyone
Designs like this have been shown to slow vehicles down more than traditional layouts, and we’re seeing that at California Crossroads.
The design follows Department for Transport guidelines, which say a more imaginative design can be very safe when local circumstances are considered, while the police haven’t reported any accidents or injuries.
Funding came from developers building new homes in the area and didn’t just pay for the surface design. It covered significant structural improvements, addressing a long-standing flooding problem by improving drainage.
We know this isn't a traditional junction, but it has safely renewed the heart of Finchampstead with input from the community, including the project working group who came up with the original vision almost 10 years ago.
 Supporting new travel habits for years to come
Our vision for improving how everyone gets around the borough, while striving to reduce our environmental impact, is another step closer to reality.
We've agreed to put a draft of our updated Local Transport Plan (LTP) before full council for discussion, with a recommendation to adopt it as official policy.
The LTP outlines policies and actions that will help us move forward with a wide range of transport schemes and programmes - including those which make walking, cycling and taking public transport more accessible.
It'll sit above documents like our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), both of which aim to help people travel more healthily, sustainably and affordably.
The LTP's objectives also include developing the local economy, supporting thriving villages and town centres, creating safer streets for everyone and improving links between key destinations.
The final draft was shaped by feedback from public consultation, along with responses from the Community Vision and Council Plan consultations, and supports our efforts to become a carbon-neutral borough.
In case you missed it...
 Upcoming roadworks
Wokingham town
Multi-way lights – Barkham Road
BT will be working to clear blockages, with multi-way traffic lights at the junction with Smalley Close. The works are scheduled from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 February, between 9.30am and 4pm. View on our live roadworks map
2-way lights – Reading Road
Virgin Media will have two-way traffic lights near Farnesdown Drive from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 February, between 9.30am and 4pm. This is part of their fibre upgrade project. View on our live roadworks map
Finchampstead
2-way lights – Finchampstead Road
BT will have two-way traffic lights in place outside Finchampstead Surgery, while replacing a frame and cover, from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 February. View on our live roadworks map
Sonning
2-way lights – Pound Lane
Thames Water will have two-way traffic lights in place near West Drive from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 February, while carrying out a valve exchange. View on our live roadworks map
Spencers Wood
Multi-way lights – Hyde End Road
Gigaclear will be installing fibre optic cables between Saturday 15 and Sunday 23 February, Multi-way traffic lights will be in place between Elizabeth Rout Close and Croft Road. View on our live roadworks map
Twyford
Multi-way lights – Church Street
Thames Water will be carrying out sewer repair works, with multi-way traffic lights at Twyford Crossroads from Monday 10 to Tuesday 18 February. View on our live roadworks map
Winnersh
2-way lights – Reading Road
Two-way traffic lights will be in place outside Cut Price Carpets from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 February, between 7pm and 6am, while Thames Water installs a new customer connection. View on our live roadworks map
Multi-way lights – Reading Road
Multi-way traffic lights will be in place at the junction with Saddlers Court on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 February, between 9:30am and 4pm, while Virgin Media installs a new customer connection. View on our live roadworks map
2-way lights – King Street Lane
BT will have two-way traffic lights in place between Allnatt Avenue and Churchill Drive while replacing a frame and cover. This runs from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 February, between 9.30am and 4pm. View on our live roadworks map
Keeping up to date
- For planned and emergency roadworks, follow us on Facebook
- To find out about roadworks near you, visit our interactive map
- For active and sustainable travel, visit MyJourney Wokingham
- Visit our major new roads page for plans and updates
- Find out more about re-surfacing and repairs including potholes
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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.
- Find out more about parking and permits including car park locations and costs, resident permits, park and ride services and appealing a parking fine
- Our transport and travel page includes applying for a senior citizen's or disabled person's bus and train pass, as well as public transport information
- The blue parking badges page has information on applying for, using, replacing and returning your blue badge
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