Wokingham Borough Connect
 Win prizes for getting active this spring
It's time to start enjoying the fresh air more - and the latest competition from Love to Ride gives you another great reason to get out there.
Ride, Walk, Wheel Week is an exciting, week-long active travel challenge that takes place from Monday 24 March to Sunday 30 March.
Whether you cycle, walk, or wheel, you only have to swap one car journey for an active trip - though you're very welcome to do more!
Just log your journeys on the Love to Ride app, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw. The more trips you log, the more chances you have to win.
Remember: it's not about how many miles you do, but getting outside and encouraging others to join you!
Need to spring clean your bike?
If you're getting your bike out of storage, here are some things to consider:
Help is also at hand from our FREE Dr Bike checks and maintenance courses - find out more on our events page.
New bike shop De Novo Velo has just opened at Bush Walk in Wokingham. Resident Max Knott will be running the family venture, selling parts, children’s bicycles, offer maintenance and more.
 More pupils join active school run pledge
We're pleased to report that Westende Junior School in Wokingham has earned an Excellent accreditation under the national Modeshift STARS programme.
This scheme encourages school communities to plan how they're going to get more pupils travelling sustainably and then put it into action.
Wescott Infants School and Floreat Montague Park Primary School, also both in Wokingham, have just earned a Good accreditation under the same scheme.
All primary and secondary schools are now being encouraged to register for this year's Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel scheme.
It's free to take part, with daily prizes to be won, and it's a great way of helping everyone to improve local air quality.
On your way to your first 5K?
A weekly 10-week running programme is set to launch at Arborfield Green Leisure Centre, in partnership with our My Journey Wokingham team.
Before launching, Places Leisure would like to get feedback on the best day and time to have the sessions. Let them know by taking a short survey.
Our active travel poster competition is about to close. Send your designs by Monday 24 February for the chance to win prizes, with the winning entries to be printed and displayed in school.
 Bus route set to add more journeys after feedback
We've agreed an increase in frequency for bus route 3 between Wokingham town and Barkham, Finchampstead and Arborfield.
Our decision-making executive has agreed to tender a contract for the route, increasing it to every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays.
The service is hourly and people tell us that this limits their options for getting to work or school, enjoying leisure time or seeing family and friends.
We're keen to support this so everyone has access to healthy, convenient and affordable alternatives to driving.
Reading Buses already runs the 3 more frequently between Arborfield and Reading, on a commercial basis, so our proposal would complement that.
The contract, which could start from May, would be funded by contributions from developers building new homes in the area.
It would run for two years initially, with scope for two further one-year extensions.
 Display screens return after bus shelter upgrades
We’ve reinstalled electronic departure boards at seven bus shelters across the borough that were recently upgraded.
The displays were temporarily removed while the shelters, which were old and in poor condition, were replaced by new, modern environmentally friendly ones.
A total of 20 bus shelters were improved and some will benefit from measures like a "green" planted roof, a solar roof or an electronic advertising screen.
They're managed by an outside company, which saves us money on maintenance and installation and lets us receive a share of income from any advertising.
The departure boards have been returned to:
- Loddon Bridge / The George, Earley
- Drome Path, Winnersh
- Winnersh Post Office
- Winnersh Crossroads (opposite Sainsbury's)
- Wokingham Broad Street (opposite former Post Office)
- Wokingham Broad Street (next to former Post Office)
- Wokingham Broad Street (opposite Broad Street Tavern)
Find out more about travelling by bus in Wokingham Borough.
 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 our 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.
 Making electric vehicle charging accessible for all
We've agreed to adopt an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Strategy to make it easier for everyone to make the switch.
It aims fill any gaps left by the private market, creating a fair charging network for all residents and businesses.
The strategy was produced following a detailed survey to help us understand people's needs, and will form part of our Local Transport Plan (see above).
As well as helping to reduce vehicle emissions, which supports our air quality and climate emergency goals, it'll put us in a strong position for the upcoming national ban on sales of petrol and diesel vehicles.
Future installations will be funded mostly by grants from the Department for Transport, along with fully-funded models from chargepoint operators.
We'll prioritise residential areas with no off-street parking, as this makes it hard for people to install a home charger, and focus on land and car parks that we own.
Upcoming activities and events
- Free Balance Bike Club at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Free Balance Bike Club at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£10) at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£10) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- FREE Dr Bike checks at Woodford Park Leisure Centre (Thursdays from 2.30pm to 3.30pm
- Bike Maintenance Course (£11) at Pinewood Leisure Centre, Wokingham Without on Saturday, 8 March from 9am to 12pm
- Bike Maintenance Course £11) at Winnersh Community Centre on Saturday, 22 March from 1pm to 4pm
For more information on our regular cycle training and activities, visit our website. or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).
|
