 Above: A diagram showing the first set of road closures at the junction (click to enlarge)
Roundabout overhaul and closures coming soon
The first in a series of road closures to help us improve the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road will start on Monday 21 July.
The Western Gateway scheme will see the existing mini roundabout upgraded to a larger roundabout as part of the South Wokingham Distributor Road project, which we’re completing in partnership with Balfour Beatty.
Molly Millars Lane will be closed at the junction with Finchampstead Road until early September, with diversions for traffic. Residents and businesses will have access at all times, and pedestrian access will remain with some footpath diversions.
Traffic will continue to flow in both directions on Finchampstead Road, though there may be short periods when temporary traffic lights are needed.
Once Molly Millars Lane reopens in the autumn, there'll be further closures on Finchampstead Road until March 2026.
Visit our website for a projected timeline and diversion routes, or see the bottom of this newsletter for a look ahead of the next steps.
 Above: A diagram showing how the improved roundabout will look (click to enlarge)
Wider improvements to make it easier to get about
As well as enlarging the roundabout to improve traffic flows, we're making this junction safer and more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.
Molly Millars Lane will be significantly improved, with a wider shared footway and cycleway replacing the existing grass verge along the northern side.
There'll be a signal-controlled toucan crossing at the northern exit, nearest the railway bridge, which pedestrians and cyclists can use at the same time, plus a new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on the Molly Millars Lane exit.
Existing pedestrian crossings to the south and west of the junction will be replaced with new ones slightly further to the south and west.
All businesses, including the Tesco superstore off Finchampstead Road, will be open as usual, with some diversions for access, while it's being built.
You can see our diagrams showing what all the different sections of the new road will look like, including this new junction.
Western Gateway will support the new road’s Central Section, which will run from Tesco off Finchampstead Road to Waterloo Road via a new road bridge, and should be open by the end of 2026. This project also includes William Heelas Way and Eastern Gateway, which are already built.
 Above: the diversion for most traffic between 21 July and early September (click to enlarge)
Diversion routes for this phase of the project
The phased approach to the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road means that different exits of the roundabout will close at different times.
When Molly Millars Lane is closed, vehicles will still be able to use Finchampstead Road in both directions. There may be brief periods with temporary lights.
You can view the diversion on our interactive map or click or tap the image above to see the route for cars and most other vehicles except HGVs.
Cars and most other traffic visiting Molly Millars Lane will be diverted as follows:
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Eastbound - Barkham Road (B3349), Station Approach, Reading Road (A329), Station Road (A321), Wellington Road (A321) and Finchampstead Road (A321)
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Westbound - Finchampstead Road (A321), Wellington Road (A321), Station Approach, Reading Road (A329), Station Road (A321) and Barkham Road (B3349)
HGVs will be diverted along Barkham Road (B3349), Langley Common Road (B3349), Eversley Road (A327), Nine Mile Ride Extension, Nine Mile Ride and Finchampstead Road (B3016 and A321), or the other way round.
Improvements to the railway bridge were considered while planning these works, but could not be taken forward for logistical and financial reasons. There’ll still be scope for further improvement later on but this would require Network Rail, who own the bridge, to agree.
 Next phases after Molly Millars Lane reopens
Our partners at Balfour Beatty have done all they can to estimate how long they will need, but this is a complex project and the timeline is subject to change.
If the work is held up for any reason, we will let you know.
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Early September 2025 – Finchampstead Road (north of junction) will be closed with diversions. Traffic will continue to flow between Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road (south of junction) only
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End of 2025, or early 2026 – Finchampstead Road (south of junction) will be closed with diversions. Traffic will continue to flow between Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road (north of junction) only
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March 2026 – Finchampstead Road reopens. Final surfacing and road marking will be carried out, which may require about a week of overnight closures
At times, the direction of traffic at the roundabout near Tesco will change, with temporary traffic management in place.
However, access to Landen Court and the supermarket will remain open at all times. There will always be pedestrian access, with some footpath diversions.
We're also planning to close Easthampstead Road from just north of the level crossing to Heathlands Road, most likely from winter 2026 to late summer 2026. We’re working out exact dates and planning how to minimise disruption, and we'll let you know more well in advance.
Useful links
If you know someone who could be affected by these works, please feel free to forward this newsletter and encourage them to join our South Wokingham mailing list. It's free, and it takes just seconds to sign up.
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