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Traffic and Travel

Disruption coming as new road takes shape

Through the first half of this year, our partners at Balfour Beatty have carried out initial preparatory works to build the South Wokingham Distributor Road.

Main construction is now about to start, with the new road expected to open by the end of 2026 and all works due to finish by early 2027.

From mid-to-late next month, we're expecting to close the eastern end of Molly Millars Lane as we improve the junction with Finchampstead Road.

This scheme, called Western Gateway, also includes closures on Finchampstead Road from early September until early March 2026.

Later this year, as part of the main road build, we're expecting to close part of Easthampstead Road from north of the level crossing to Heathlands Road.

Important announcement coming soon - don't miss out!

There's loads more information about the new road, and the disruption we're expecting, in our latest South Wokingham community newsletter.

We'll be confirming a date for the Western Gateway closures very soon, so please consider subscribing if you haven't already.

Balfour Beatty has permission to close Molly Millars Lane from Thursday, 17 July, but it may not actually close until the following week. While we're waiting to confirm this, you can look at the official diversion routes on our map.

A new direction for your weekly travel news

From next week, your weekly Traffic and Travel newsletter will be changing its name to Moving Around the Borough.

There'll still be updates about upcoming disruption, but we'll also share more about other ways of getting around like walking, cycling or taking public transport.

We've started doing this in recent weeks, so the new name reflects what we're already sharing and you shouldn't notice much change.

Crucially, we're still committed to sharing timely and relevant news that's specific to travelling around Wokingham Borough.

We know people will have to drive some of the time, especially longer trips, but we want to show the alternatives can be easier than you might realise.

However you get around, there's loads of information including route maps, timetables, event listings and more on our My Journey Wokingham website.

As well as being cheaper and healthier, active and sustainable travel reduces air pollution and carbon emissions as well as congestion on the roads.

Keeping an eye on where maintenance is needed

We've repainted white lines on and around the zebra crossing on Easthampstead Road, near the two car parks on either side in Wokingham town centre.

This had been reported to us by residents, who were concerned about safety, though we were already planning to improve it following a routine inspection.

We have a programme of areas where relining is needed but it's more cost-effective to build a list and tackle it at once, rather than dealing with issues as they arise.

Like all councils, we're facing significant financial pressures and have to use our limited resources as efficiently as we can.

If you have a concern about a road or footway maintenance issue, whether it's to do with markings or anything else, you can report it to us online.

You can also report a long-term road safety concern, but please bear in mind that we receive a high volume of traffic management requests and they can take many months to process.

Charges to help improve much-loved green space

We're thinking of introducing car parking charges at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation, within Dinton Pastures Country Park near Hurst.

This would bring the museum car park in line with all other car parks at Dinton and was approved in principle as part of our 2024/25 medium-term financial plan.

Visitors would still be able to park for free, to drop off or pick up, for up to 15 minutes, as is currently the case at the Dinton Activity Centre.

We think this proposal will make things more fair and consistent, and will allow us to make further improvements to a popular and treasured beauty spot.

The museum, and groups and organisations that use it as a base, will still be able to park free. To share your views, visit our Engage Wokingham Borough page.

Want to find out more about our car parks across the borough? You can visit our webpage or use RingGo Parking Locator's interactive map.

Free bike maintenance to get you in the saddle

If you want to check whether your bike's roadworthy this summer, and get it fixed if it isn't, there are several free Dr Bike sessions across the borough.

That includes this Saturday's (21 June) Winnersh fete, where you can also meet our My Journey Wokingham team and get advice on travelling more sustainably.

You can also meet Dr Bike at Lower Earley Library (25 July), Shinfield Green (7 August), the Stables Café at Arborfield Green (9 August and 23 August) and Cantley Park Café in Wokingham (6 September).

Advance booking for all these sessions, via the links above, is essential.

Got your bike ready? It's time to get out there!

The My Journey team will be at this Sunday's (22 June) Wokingham Bikeathon, a fantastic event which we're proud to support - and there's still time to sign up!

There's just two weeks to go until the 20th national Cycle to Work Day, which includes a free challenge with amazing prizes including a £2,650 Raleigh Modum e-bike.

To help you make cycling a more regular habit, we're proud to support the free Love to Ride scheme, which offers prizes and some fun competition throughout the year.

If walking's more your thing, whether for transport or for leisure, don't forget we have an interactive map of the borough's footpaths that we produced in partnership with the Loddon Valley Ramblers.

Upcoming roadworks

As part of our ongoing annual maintenance programme, we'll be carrying out carriageway patching works at the following locations next week.

Works will take place at Mill Lane in Earley, Scarletts Lane in Hare Hatch, Broadcommon Road in Hurst, Upper Culham Lane in Remenham Hill, Cheriton Avenue and Kibblewhite Crescent in Twyford.

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
• 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