View in browser

Moving Around the Borough

Junction closures change over as works progress

The next stage of improvements to the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road in Wokingham will start on Monday (8 September).

The eastern end of Molly Millars Lane, which was shut for most of this summer, will reopen while the northern approach onto Finchampstead Road will close.

There'll be signed diversions for traffic, while pedestrian access will remain open with some diversion of footways.

The southern approach to the junction will be open as usual.

• See a diagram of the closure from Monday onwards
• View the diversion route on our interactive map

Next steps coming in the New Year

We're expecting to reopen the northern approach in early 2026, then finally close the southern approach until the works finish in early March.

This scheme, known as Western Gateway, will improve traffic flows as part of the ongoing South Wokingham Distributor Road project.

As well as replacing the mini-roundabout with a larger roundabout, we'll be widening footways, improving cycle access and installing new crossings.

The new road, built in partnership with Balfour Beatty and due to open by the end of 2026, will provide access to new homes while encouraging walking and cycling. We'll share critical news here, but you can get more detailed updates in our South Wokingham community newsletter.

Click or tap the image above to watch our video explaining surface dressing treatments

VIDEO: Watch road protection treatment in action

As we reported in a previous newsletter, we're coming to the end of our planned surface dressing works for 2025/26.

These treatments prevent minor issues with roads from becoming more serious, and make them more skid-resistant while extending their life.

We've filmed some of this year's programme to help you understand the different ways that we look after our roads, and why we use them.

You can now watch the first video about surface dressing, with another video on full resurfacing to come later in the year.

Find out more about our annual road and footway maintenance programme, and the different types of road or footway damage that we deal with.

Click or tap to enlarge this image

Full resurfacing: what it is and why we do it

While surface dressing can be a cost-effective alternative to resurfacing, there will be times when a full resurfacing is necessary.

This is a more extensive treatment where we remove the layers of a worn-out road surface and replace it with new material.

We strip off (above, left) anything from 30mm to 40mm of the old surfacing or more, depending on how deep the damage is.

A new layer of hot asphalt is carefully laid at a pre-set thickness and rolled (above, right) to even it out, and we reopen the road once it's cooled down.

This costs much more than surface dressing, so we need to ensure we're spending our increasingly limited resources on the areas that need it most.

We've completed most of our resurfacing treatments for 2025/26, with a small number still to be carried out in late October.

This year we're surface dressing 110 locations and resurfacing 21 locations, on top of our scheduled footway repairs. All works are in partnership with Volker Highways, our highways and street lighting maintenance contractor.

Click or tap the image above to watch a short film of the new junction in action

VIDEO: Community praises safer new crossroads

You may remember that our transformation of California Crossroads in Finchampstead has been shortlisted for three industry awards.

The project included a resurfacing with clearly marked and raised crossing points on all four approaches, plus a colourful leaf design on the carriageway.

We brought surrounding public spaces to the same level as the carriageway, giving priority to non-drivers and making shops and services more accessible.

As our latest video clearly highlights, the new layout encourages drivers to slow down and give way as they approach the junction.

A greater sense of local identity

At the scene, one mum with a young child told us: "The leaves add something unique and iconic that no other area has - and it's lovely that the pavements are wider.

"It's definitely more pedestrian friendly and you see people hanging around in the area, which didn't happen before."

Another added it had raised the area's profile, adding: "It's a landmark now. Even people living hours away know about it.

"They say 'oh yes, it's the colourful one with all the leaves on it'. It's really different and the children love it."

Community benefits become clear with time

This project is similar to schemes in other places which have proven successful, and follows Government design guidelines.

When construction finished a year ago, there were some local concerns and doubts about how safe or effective it would be.

However, a study has shown that pedestrians can cross the road in less time and drivers give way more often, especially on the central crossing.

The scheme went through independent road safety auditing before it was built, with a further monitoring audit due next month.

'You just need common sense'

One pedestrian explained to us: "I didn't like it at first and thought it was odd. But as time has passed, I've got used to it and really don't see any problem.

"You just need to approach it with a bit of common sense."

Another man said: "I drive through it once a week when I'm going to the office and it's perfectly fine. It's straightforward once you get the hang of it."

A local parent, who has used the junction for about three years, added: "When it changed, there was some confusion about where people were going.

"Personally, I don't mind it - I think people can work it out."

The California Crossroads scheme was funded by developers building new homes at the former Arborfield Garrison and was shaped by community input. The award winners will be announced over the coming weeks.

Electric scooters still outlawed a decade on

It’s been 10 years since the first electric scooters (e-scooters) were sold in the UK, and it's now believed that more than a million are being used illegally.

It's against the law to ride them on any pavement, road or other public areas, unless you're somewhere that's trialling legal use.

We want people to travel more safely and sustainably, which includes non-motorised push scooters, but e-scooters aren’t allowed in public anywhere in our borough.

Records show at least 1,214 people were injured by e-scooters in the past year, although the true figure could be much higher, while four people were killed.

If you're caught, it will be treated as driving without insurance and you could be fined, get points on your licence or have your scooter permanently seized.

And if you hurt someone, or break any driving laws, you could face the same additional penalties as you would in any other motor vehicle.

Regular push scooters are just fine - in fact, they're a great way to get around sustainably! Find out more about walking, cycling and healthier school runs, including safety tips and the best local routes.

Other upcoming roadworks to watch

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