Wokingham Borough Connect
 On the right track to improving your journeys?
This week, you might receive a survey asking for your views on how we help you travel around the borough.
At least 3,300 randomly chosen households have been sent the annual National Highways and Transport Network public satisfaction survey.
This covers everything from roads and footpaths to cycling facilities, car parks and other things that our highways and transport teams look after.
If you get one, we'd be grateful if you could complete it. We'll compare the results with other councils, helping us learn to serve you better.
You can complete it online if it's easier - just visit the short link printed on the front and follow the simple instructions from there.
More than 100 other councils in England and Scotland take part in this survey, now in its 18th year, and it's the largest of its kind.
The first major road closures for our South Wokingham Distributor Road project will begin in late July, when we shut the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane in phases until March 2026. Sign up to our South Wokingham newsletter for the latest and most detailed updates.
 Loads of chances to get pedalling this summer
There's less than a month until the Wokingham Bikeathon, which offers rides for all ages and levels, from a 15-mile beginner course to 26, 36 or even 51 miles.
If you want to take part but don't want to ride on your own, you can even sign up for our 15 mile guided ride.
For little ones, Kidical Mass will be offering noise and fun with three short rides (around the field, 2.5 miles or five miles) on scooters, balance bikes or bikes.
Meanwhile, there'll be a 12-mile adult led ride tomorrow (Friday 6 June) to Riseley Tea Rooms for coffee and cake, starting at Finchampstead Baptist Centre.
On Saturday (7 June) we're running adult Bikeability training on navigating faster roads and more complex junctions. This starts at Cantley Park, Wokingham.
For at least the next few weeks, our seasonal adult cycle training for all levels will take place at Alder Grove Primary School in Shinfield.
Pupils at Wokingham Borough schools have until Monday 7 July to take part in our active travel art competition, creating a collage of their favourite sights while walking, scooting or cycling to school. A £50 book token will be awarded to the winner, while two runners-up will get a £25 and a £15 book token.
 Buses still great value as new fares announced
Fares on some Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses services, including those serving Wokingham Borough, increased slightly this week.
This is needed to cover increasing costs, including changes in Government policy, and can be avoided in some cases by buying a different type of ticket.
Despite a nationwide drop in passengers after the 2020 pandemic, bus services continue to recover - and we're working to support that locally.
We recently awarded a contract for a more frequent leopard 3 service between Wokingham town and Arborfield, while Reading Buses increased the frequency of the commercial Lion 4/4a route at the start of the year.
Buses are healthier and better for the environment than driving, but they need your support to remain viable, so please use them wherever you can.
We've outlined our long-term vision to improve the borough's bus services, subject to external funding and working with the operators, in our Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
 Free event will promote electric vehicle benefits
If you're interested in electric vehicles (EVs) but are worried about costs or charging, you can book free tickets to find out more on Friday, 11 July.
Our first awareness event at Winnersh Triangle Business Park is open to local businesses as well as residents who are thinking of switching.
This is your chance to:
- Test drive a range of EVs from local dealerships
- Learn about available grants and how much money you could save
- Network with EV industry specialists in who can provide advice
- Check out presentations about creating a net zero transport system
The event is organised in partnership with Let's Experience Electric, Winnersh Triangle Business Park and all six Berkshire local authorities in Wokingham, Reading, Bracknell Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough and West Berkshire.
Experts giving advice on the day will include the Energy Saving Trust and the University of Reading.
From Monday (2 June) the £1 park and ride offer has changed to £2.50 at the Winnersh, Mereoak and Thames Valley Park & Ride sites.
 Upcoming roadworks
There'll be closures at the following locations next week while we carry out various works as part of our annual road and footway maintenance programme:
- Fleet Hill, Finchampstead (14 June, 9.30am to 4pm)
- A33 Swallowfield Bypass (11 to 12 June, 7pm to 6am)
- Reading Road, Winnersh (13 to 14 June, 7pm to 6am)
- Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham (13 June, 9.30am to 4pm)
- Norreys Avenue, Wokingham (14 June, 8am to 5pm)
- Wiltshire Road, Wokingham (15 June, 8am to 5pm)
We carry out a range of treatments at different locations to keep our highways in good condition, based on what would be most appropriate.
You can check all planned disruption on our interactive map. Next week's planned works include:
Charvil
Road closure - Beggars Hill Road Tuesday 10 June to Monday 23 June
CityFibre will be excavating the road between Waingels Road and Lands End Lane to install a cable duct and build chambers and cabinets.
Earley
Two-way signals - Pitts Lane Monday 9 June to Tuesday 10 June
Virgin Media will have two-way signals in place to carry out telecoms work.
Spencers Wood
Multi-way signals - Basingstoke Road Tuesday 10 June to Wednesday 11 June
Virgin Media will have signals at the junction with Sevenoaks Drive to install a new customer connection.
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 resurfacing 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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