 The junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road where work starts on 17 November
In-depth look at Heathlands Road junction works
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we are intending to delay our work on Easthampstead Road until April.
When work starts, the road will be closed between Star Lane and Heathlands Road, with a diversion in place.
We are timing the works for when the bigger roundabout at the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road is fully open, in order to ease congestion.
We also hope to have the new link road, which runs from Easthampstead Road to the distributor road and Waterloo Road, open by then.
However, we will also be doing work specifically at the junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road. Those works are due to start on Monday 17 November and will run until May 2026.
A detailed look at how this work will unfold is outlined below, with diagrams of the junction for each phase. We will keep you updated via this newsletter and our social media channels with more precise dates for future phases.
You can watch a video showing an aerial view of how the South Wokingham Distributor Road is progressing. We also share regular photos from behind the scenes on our Instagram page.
 Above: How the first phase of the works at this junction will look (click to enlarge)
Phase one: Three-way lights from 17 November
There will be three-way temporary traffic lights in place on Easthampstead Road and at the junction with Heathlands Road for a period of four weeks.
No road closures will be needed at this stage. We will be completing the first part of road crossings for traffic lights across Easthampstead Road.
We are also looking at earthworks, drainage, footways, streetlighting, traffic signals and more. There will be no access for pedestrians through the site, as there will be no footways, but access will be maintained for residents.
Work will be ongoing on the new link road, which will eventually provide access from Waterloo Road to Heathlands Road.
 Above: How the second phase of the works at this junction will look (click to enlarge)
Phase 2: Heathlands Road closed (three weeks)
There will be a closure at all times on Heathlands Road at the junction with Easthampstead Road for a period of three weeks.
Traffic will continue to move in both directions on Easthampstead Road, but the road layout will be reconfigured to allow for works to take place near the junction of Heathlands Road.
During this phase, we will be completing the second half of the road crossings for traffic lights across Easthampstead Road. We are also looking at drainage, resurfacing, kerbs, footways, streetlighting and traffic signals.
Once again, there will be no access for pedestrians, but access will be maintained for residents. Construction on the new link road will be ongoing.
 Above: How the third phase of the works at this junction will look (click to enlarge)
Phase 3: Three-way lights (ten weeks)
There will be three-way temporary traffic lights on Easthampstead Road and at the junction with Heathlands Road for a period of ten weeks.
Although the link road will appear complete, there will be no road markings and we will still need to do the final surfacing.
The junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road will be back to a T-junction, but the kerb realignment means we will need to investigate visibility.
We will continue to maintain access for residents, but pedestrians will still not be able to get through the site, as there will be no footways.
 Above: How the fourth phase of the works at this junction will look (click to enlarge)
Phase 4: Easthampstead and Heathlands Road closed (one week)
There will be a closure at all times on Easthampstead Road and at the junction with Heathlands Road.
This will be in place for one week while surfacing is carried out, along with the installation of traffic lights and road markings.
The final touches will be made to the link road during this phase, before it can open for the first time.
 Above: A view of the completed junction and link road (click to enlarge)
A view of the completed junction and link road
The junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road will open to traffic under permanent traffic lights around May 2026.
The new link road will now be open, joining up with Waterloo Road and William Heelas Way.
There will be a signalised junction where Heathlands Road meets Easthampstead Road, as well as where the link road joins up to the South Wokingham Distributor Road and Waterloo Road.
 Moving towards final phases of roundabout project
The roundabout upgrade at the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road is progressing as planned.
The current phase (closure under the railway bridge) is due to run until late January.
After this, the closure will move to the south of the junction on Finchampstead Road and we expect that phase will run to late March/early April.
There will then be about one week of overnight road closures to carry out the final surfacing and road marking before the roundabout is complete.
The works include improved pedestrian and cycle access, with new and wider sections of footway and shared use path for cyclists, as well as landscaping and tree planting.
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