 Latest on roundabout project and moving into 2026
Work on the upgraded roundabout at the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane is progressing as planned.
The intention is to move from the current phase (closure north of the junction under the railway bridge) into the next phase on Monday 26 January.
This will see the closure point move to south of the junction, with this likely to be in place until March. When that is completed, there will be about a week of overnight closures to do the final surfacing and road markings.
For the remainder of the current phase and during the Christmas period, the closure will remain in place and we have a more detailed explanation of this on our website.
During the current phase, we've made progress on more than just the improved roundabout. We've also done extensive work with utility companies and on realigning the footpaths in the area.
 Dates for work at Heathlands Road junction adjusted
Work started at the junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road on 17 November.
The first phase of work requires three-way temporary traffic lights on both roads for five weeks, with no road closures needed at this stage.
The diversion route is: Easthampstead Road, Old Wokingham Road, Nine Mile Ride, Heathlands Road (and the reverse for northbound traffic).
Since our last update, some of the dates for this work have changed and we can now share the new intended timeline:
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Phase two - Heathlands Road will be closed at all times, starting in early January, for a period of five weeks, with temporary lights at the junction with Easthampstead Road
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Phase three - there will be three-way temporary traffic lights on both Easthampstead and Heathlands Road for seven weeks
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Phase four - Easthampstead and Heathlands Road will be closed at all times for two weeks while surfacing is carried out
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Phase five - Easthampstead Road will be closed between Star Lane and Heathlands Road from April for ten months. The Central Section of the distributor road will still be under construction, with the new link road expected to be live from May
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Phase six- we are still intending to complete work at have this junction by May, with the new link road also due to be open
Throughout the works, there is no access for pedestrians through the site, as there will be no footways, but access will be maintained for residents and businesses. This will be from the south only and no access across the Star Lane crossing.
The temporary lights currently in place will not be operational over the Christmas period, between 19 December and 7 January.
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 Forum gives residents chance to see progress
Thank you to everyone who attended the South Wokingham community forum at St Sebastian's Memorial Hall on Thursday 4 December.
Lots of people came to see the latest progress on a range of projects and have their questions answered.
This was an informal drop-in session to find out more about the future housing coming to South Wokingham and our plans for Grays Farm, along with the community facilities, nature parks and changes to the road network.
Along with housing developers, we were joined by our partners at Balfour Beatty to help explain the latest progress on the South Wokingham Distributor Road.
 Above: a diagram showing the footpath closures and the alternative route
Footpaths remain closed for public safety
While we build the distributor road, it is an unfortunate necessity to close certain footpaths.
It would be unsafe to allow people to walk through the area while construction work is ongoing. This is partly due to the hazardous and uneven nature of the ground, but there is also heavy machinery regularly crossing the footpaths in both directions.
We know this is disappointing and adds time to your journey, but please be assured that there will be good footpath access in this area once the works finish.
Currently, footpaths 9 and 24, which connect over the Emm Brook, are due to reopen in early 2027.
Footpath 25 (Finchampstead Road to Ludgrove track) is due to be back open by next summer, with footpath 10 (Gipsy Lane to Ludgrove track) following in the autumn.
Additionally, footpath 5 (Heathlands Road to Waterloo Road roundabout) will reopen in July.
As part of the Central Section works, some of the footpaths in this area will be permanently redirected around the new road and the new development that will follow.
However, they will offer the same level of access and will follow broadly the same route.
 New home for Woodley Foodbank with cabin donation
We are working with Balfour Beatty to build the South Wokingham Distributor Road and they have recently helped to donate a cabin to Woodley Foodbank.
Based at Emmanuel Church in Woodley, this will give the charity a safe, warm and welcoming space to support those in need for many years to come.
Richard Davies, a co-ordinator for Woodley Foodbank, said the old cabin had reached the end of its life and that it was unclear how they would be able to continue. It had a leaking roof, damaged floor and limited light and heating.
The cabin was provided by subcontractors ISC Contracting and they teamed up with Balfour Beatty to clear overgrown vegetation from the site before it was delivered.
Drop-off points are located throughout Woodley for those who wish to donate. These are listed on the charity's website, along with a list of desired items.
This will be the final South Wokingham newsletter of 2025, but we will return in the New Year with more updates. If you need to contact Balfour Beatty during the festive period you can send them an email or use the out-of-hours telephone number (0800 121 4444).
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