 Above: a Volker crew member driving around the borough and recording the quality of the road
How do we know which roads need maintaining?
We're making good progress on our 2025/26 roads and footways maintenance programme, which covers:
- full resurfacing of some worn-out roads
- protective surface dressing where roads are less worn
- slurry sealing to protect and improve grip on our footways
Work on our final resurfacing treatments will start later this month, while surface dressing is largely complete and footway repairs have just started.
Your reports can help to shape this, but our partners at Volker Highways also carry out visual inspections and technical surveys all year round.
This includes using a special recording app called Visala, which allows them to log faults by driving around selected areas and then reviewing the footage.
They can also mark up and measure areas that need attention or raise defects using the same online platform that you and our own teams use.
 A joined-up view of an interconnected network
Our planned maintenance is part of our wider highways maintenance management plan, which looks at how we look after everything we own in the long term.
We also have to consider things like street lighting, different ways of managing traffic, winter readiness, drainage and flood prevention, and more.
Planned maintenance works are also separate from any reactive repairs that we don't plan for, like a pothole appearing or damage due to an accident.
 Delayed street light repairs spark queries
As we reported earlier this year, we can't always fix faulty street lighting after you report it to us and sometimes have to involve others.
We're chasing Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) over a backlog of power supply repairs which only they can address.
These are now being dealt with and SSEN have assured us that they'll all be completed as quickly as possible.
You can use our interactive map to track existing reports.
We aim to respond to street lighting faults within two hours where there's a major safety risk, or 28 days otherwise.
Funding challenges affect all we do, including our highways services. That's why we urge you to back our calls for fairer funding from the Government. Just click here to tell us you support us - that's all you need to do.
 Above: Nine Mile Road at California Crossroads, near where we've postponed some electricity works
Another closure postponed to keep roads moving
With several routes into Wokingham town shut, including the unforeseen closure of Evendons Lane for sewer repairs, we're still pushing other works back if we can.
A section of Nine Mile Ride in Finchampstead, near the junction of Heath Ride, was due to close from Monday 27 to Friday 31 October.
However, to avoid adding to the ongoing disruption, we've postponed the Electricity Network Company's application to work on the power supply.
On top of that, SGN's ongoing gas upgrade works on Mole Road in Sindlesham should finish next Friday (24 October) and provide additional relief.
As Thames Water announced last week, Evendons Lane will remain closed to through traffic until at least Christmas due to the complexity of the work.
Finchampstead Road remains closed immediately north of the junction with Molly Millars Lane, with the closure moving south of the junction next year.
This is for a new roundabout to support the South Wokingham Distributor Road. As part of that project, a planned closure on Easthampstead Road is also postponed.
We've submitted a planning proposal for solar panel canopies at Mereoak Park and Ride near Grazeley and the M4 (Junction 11), though no decision has been made and we'll only go ahead if the business case remains viable.
 Above: pupils from Westende Junior School, Wokingham, take part in an earlier led walk with My Journey
Inspiring children to enjoy healthy travel habits
Our My Journey Wokingham team work with schools throughout the year to help the next generation become more confident at walking and cycling.
At the moment, they're helping pupils, staff and parents celebrate International Walk to School Month with their new Walktober initiative.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg - other activities include promoting the national Modeshift STARS scheme to help schools make active travel plans.
They can get grant funding towards this, helping everyone make long-term changes that benefit their health and the environment.
This supports our ongoing efforts to reduce air pollution, make getting around more affordable and address the climate emergency.
Small to medium-sized businesses and organisations can now bid for funding towards innovative schemes that help more people to walk, wheel or cycle instead of driving. Applications are open until Friday 14 November. Find out more on the Government's website.
 Going the distance to keep rural routes clear
We're carrying out the second of two scheduled cuts to maintain our borough's 145 miles of footpaths, bridleways, byways and more.
Our two operatives cover almost 300 miles in a year - about the distance from Wokingham to Newcastle - using brush cutters, ride-on mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters and chainsaws for fallen trees.
This ensures our public rights of way stay open, safe and accessible for all users. We also work with local organisations and volunteers to help keep the network clear.
So far they've covered Remenham parish, including the River Thames towpath alongside the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta course, as well as Wargrave and St Nicholas Hurst parishes.
You can report an issue on a public right of way, like overgrown foliage, or check out our interactive map produced in partnership with Loddon Valley Ramblers.
In case you missed it, you've got until Monday (20 October) to respond to proposals for 20mph speed limits on parts of Woodlands Avenue and Culver Lane and Palmerstone Road in Woodley, to support an active travel route to Palmer Park in Reading that we're going build next year.
 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.
Finchampstead
Road closure - Church Lane Monday 20 to Friday 24 October
We'll be closing the road between Jubilee Road and St James' Church to carry out drainage repairs. Access will be maintained.
Shinfield
Road closure - Shinfield Road Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October, 7pm to 6am overnight
We'll be closing the road between Whitley Wood Road and the roundabout near the M4 to carry out resurfacing works.
Wargrave
Road closure - Wargrave Road Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October, 8pm to 6am overnight
Virgin will close the road at the entrance to The Piggott School for cabling works.
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
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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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