Wokingham Borough Connect
 Above: bus shelters being upgraded in Wokingham town centre under a separate improvement programme last year
Bus services set for £1.9m investment
We’re set to invest £1.9million into the borough’s bus services. Most of the money will be spent on making services run more often and for longer, with the rest spent on measures like improving bus stops.
It will also support for the return of free bus travel on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas for a third year, as well as a new scheme to provide cheaper bus travel to young people during the 2025 summer school holidays.
There’s a host of measures being supported over the next few years, including extending funding support for Winnersh Triangle Park and Ride, as well as services for Woodley, Earley and Lower Earley.
These projects were shaped by feedback from hundreds of residents through Social Care Futures, talks with young people and our Local Transport Plan consultations.
Funding is through Government grants and developer contributions. Councillors will finalise the proposals at a meeting this evening.
 Operator agreed for more frequent buses on key route
The number 3 bus between Wokingham town and Barkham, Finchampstead and Arborfield is set to run more often from May onwards.
After agreeing to go to tender earlier this year, we've awarded Reading Buses a contract to run this journey every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays.
It's currently hourly and we know from feedback that people want more travel options, both for work and leisure, so we're pleased to be able to help.
Reading Buses already runs the 3 route every hour from Monday to Saturday on a commercial basis, including more frequent journeys between Arborfield and Reading, so this will build on its popularity.
We're about to agree a detailed plan to implement these changes, and we'll announce more as soon as we can.
The contract will be funded by contributions from housing developers and will run for two years initially, with scope for two further one-year extensions.
In case you missed it in our last newsletter, there'll be overnight closures and diversions on the M4, between junctions 10 at Winnersh and 12 at Theale, from tomorrow (28 March) to Monday (31 March).
 Monitors help schools face up to air pollution
We've installed air quality monitors outside four schools in Wokingham town that are working to reduce harmful emissions from vehicle trips.
The devices are linked to displays that show a happy face when pollutants are below the World Health Organisation's recommended thresholds.
Above this limit, they show a sad face. They've been installed for a 12-month period, with funding from Defra and support from My Journey Wokingham, at:
They track nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, both of which cause a range of breathing and other health problems. As well as showing the latest levels every 15 minutes, the data is recorded to highlight long-term trends.
These schools are already working hard to encourage parents and pupils to walk, cycle and use public transport instead of driving, so the monitors will help them to track the impact of their efforts.
They also support activities which the pupils have been carrying out using handheld pollution monitors.
 Everyone can play their part in making travel greener
Sustainable travel isn't just for schools - whether you're commuting to work or visiting friends and family, it's healthier and cheaper to avoid driving if you can.
It's also not too late to take part in Love to Ride's Ride, Walk, Wheel Week, which finishes on Sunday (30 March) and offers a range of prizes just for taking part.
All you have to do is download the Love to Ride app and create an account, then pledge to ride, walk or wheel at least one trip for transport.
It won't be long before main construction starts on the South Wokingham Distributor Road, with the first 24/7 road closures expected from late July. Find out more in our latest South Wokingham community newsletter.
 The power we're supplying... it's electrifying!
As part of our efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs), we're helping to organise an awareness event at Winnersh Triangle Business Park on Friday, 11 July.
Guests will have the chance to test drive EVs and hear from experts like the Energy Saving Trust about the opportunities for grants and tax benefits that EVs and related infrastructure offer.
They'll also be able to network with specialist suppliers and installers. The event is mostly focused on Berkshire businesses but residents will be able to attend.
The event will be organised in partnership with Let's Experience Electric and our council counterparts in Reading, Bracknell Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough and West Berkshire.
It will support our Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, which we approved earlier this year to help people make the switch by filling gaps in commercial provision, mostly with Government funding.
We'll announce more details, including times and how to take part in the day, as soon as they're confirmed.
Our My Journey Wokingham team offer loads of useful advice about adopting and maintaining an electric vehicle - and if you aren't ready to switch yet, here's how to drive with the least environmental impact. It's still better to walk, cycle or take public transport if you can, though!
 Upcoming roadworks
Wokingham
Road closure, Station Road
Monday 31 March, 9.30am to 4pm
We’re closing the road between Shute End and Wellington Road to fix a fault in the carriageway. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible. See more on our interactive map
Barkham
Multi-way lights, Barkham Street
Monday 31 March to Thursday 3 April, 9.30am to 4pm
There’ll be multi-way lights between Church Lane and Barkham Road while Gigaclear carry out works on the cable network. See more on our interactive map
Earley
Multi-way lights, A329 Wokingham Road
Monday 31 March to Thursday 3 April, overnight (7pm to 6am)
There’ll be multi-way lights between Wilderness Road and Aldbourne Avenue while Thames Water replaces a boundary box. See more on our interactive map
Road closure, Carshalton Way
Tuesday 1 April, 9.30am to 4pm
We’ll be closing the road between Cutbush Lane and Rushey Way for pre-surfact dressing patching. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible. See more on our interactive map
Ruscombe
Road closure, Castle End Road
Wednesday 2 April to Friday 4 April
There’ll be a road closure at the junction of Milley Lane while Thames Water adjusts a fire hydrant. Access will be maintained residents and businesses wherever possible. See more on our interactive map
Woodley
Multi-way lights, Reading Road
Tuesday 1 April to Friday 4 April, 9.30am to 4pm
There’ll be multi-way lights between Western Avenue and Beechwood Avenue while BT installs a duct. See more on our interactive 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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