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Moving Around the Borough

Company prepping for second go at sewer repair

We're still awaiting a timeframe from Thames Water for the next steps on their repairs to a collapsed sewer at Evendons Lane in Wokingham.

This requires more specialist intervention after previous efforts were set back by running sand, which caused the excavations to collapse.

They've assured us they're still putting together a works programme, and in the meantime they're making the site safe by backfilling the previous excavation.

The road remains closed for safety reasons but pedestrian access, as well as access to Evendons Primary School via Finchampstead Road, will be maintained.

The sewer collapse has increased pressure on surrounding roads, which are also affected by several planned works that were already under way.

However, we're working to offset the impact as much as we can.

Pressure set to ease as gas works progress

Work is progressing on SGN's upgrade to gas pipes beneath Mole Road near Sindlesham, which has affected roads in the Wokingham area.

The road is officially set to remain closed with a diversion until Friday 24 October, but we're hopeful that the works might finish ahead of time.

Earlier this week, both Colemansmoor Road in Woodley and Park Lane near Finchampstead reopened following SGN upgrade works.

They'd been shut for several weeks and were expected to stay closed until November, so the company has a good record for working quickly.

We've also postponed Scottish and Southern Energy Networks' investigative works on Evendons Lane, Edneys Hill and Blagrove Lane in Wokingham.

These were set to start next month, as part of our Barkham solar farm project, but the closure would have caused unacceptable disruption.

South East Water are fixing a leak on Barkham Road near Wokingham, with multi-way lights, from next Wednesday to Friday (1 to 3 October). We can't postpone this as it could leave households without water, but contractors will control the lights manually to keep traffic flowing as quickly as possible.

Dancing car and furry sidekick wow the crowds

A dancing car was among the attractions at our free electric vehicle (EV) showcase on Elms Field in Wokingham last Saturday.

Despite grey skies and the odd mild downpour, hundreds of people showed up to see dealers from across the region exhibiting the latest models.

There were charging demonstrations, e-bike and e-cargo bike test rides, a family activity trail and information about buying and maintaining an EV.

The dancing Tesla, provided via our event partners Let's Experience Electric, was opening and closing its doors and flashing its lights in time to music.

A smaller remote control electric car, being "driven" by a cute furry puppet, was also roaming around and entertaining visitors.

Our My Journey Wokingham team were giving advice on sustainable travel and there was a Dr Bike clinic offering repairs to regular bicycles.

Don't worry if you missed it - more to come!

We're hoping to host another EV showcase next summer, and the dealers have said they're happy to support it as this one was well attended.

You can see more photos from the day on our Facebook page.

It was supported by Wokingham Town Council and Bracknell Forest Council, and followed our EV event at Winnersh Triangle Business Park earlier this year.

With the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles being phased out by the Government, this is part of a wider effort to help people move over to electric.

We've adopted an electric vehicle charging strategy and we're planning to install at least 460 new chargepoints by 2030, in partnership with Believ.

Funding for this rollout has been secured from the Department for Transport (DfT)'s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund.

Above: the faster 22kW Flowbird chargepoints at Denmark Street car park in Wokingham town

Electric vehicle charging scheme up for national title

We're in the running for an award after installing 44 electric vehicle chargepoints across the borough to help residents make the switch.

We've been shortlisted as Best Local Authority EV Charging Scheme in this year's Transport and Energy Awards, with the winner to be announced on 20 November.

We installed chargepoints where many residents didn't have a garage or driveway, and where surveys showed higher ownership or interest in electric vehicles.

Most were set up on residential streets, while some faster 22kW units were placed in off-street car parks that we own.

They allow users to pay for both parking and charging through a single platform, using either an app or terminals on site.

Our partners at Volker Highways, who look after and maintain our roads, carried out civil works for the electrical connections to reduce costs.

Thirty-eight chargepoints were funded through the DfT's On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme, with the rest funded by the supplier Flowbird.

For more information about buying and maintaining an electric vehicle, or even just driving a non-electric vehicle in a more environmentally-friendly way, check out the free resources on My Journey Wokingham's page.

Safer pedestrian access to railway station

We've widened and improved the footway outside Twyford station on Hurst Road, on the other side from the ticket office on Station Road.

As well as resurfacing it, we've filled in a bay that was serving as a bus stop, creating more space for pedestrians on what was a very narrow section.

This has made it much easier and safer for anyone with impaired mobility to reach the customer lifts on the passenger footbridge.

We've moved the bus stop onto the main road and extended double yellow lines to cover where it used to be, to stop people parking near the bend.

The station is well served by Thames Valley Buses' 128 bus, which runs between Wokingham and Reading and also via Hurst, Sonning and Woodley.

This scheme was funded by contributions from housing developers that was set aside for improving access to the station.

Travelling by train in Wokingham Borough? You can book tickets and check for live disruption or planned engineering works on the Great Western Railway, South Western Railway and Transport for London (Elizabeth Line) websites.

Last chance to comment on parking permit plans

Upcoming roadworks

We think these works will be the most disruptive, but you can see a list of all upcoming works in your area or browse 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 My Journey 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