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That's all for 2025, folks! We're pausing our Moving Around the Borough schedule until 8 January, when it'll resume at 5pm every Thursday as usual. Thanks for reading and wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year.
 Above: The eastern end of the new route will serve Woodley precinct and other nearby amenities
Work starting on new active travel route in 2026
We're going to start building a new walking and cycling link between central Woodley and Palmer Park, at the Reading borough border.
When it's finished, this healthy and sustainable route will connect our communities to a range of amenities including shops, schools, leisure centres and a library.
Construction is due to start on Woodlands Avenue on Monday 26 January, with traffic management including closures and diversions at certain times.
This will cause disruption until at least mid-August, so read the full details on our website (exact dates subject to change) if you could be affected.
We've sent letters to people living along the route, and we'll do all we can to keep pedestrian access and access to properties open.
The scheme will also involve works on parts of Church Road and Culver Lane from the summer, with details to be confirmed nearer the time.
 Above: The route will stop at Palmer Park in Reading, where people can travel on to the town centre
Thanks for helping us shape the final design
To make the new route safer, we're proposing to reduce the speed limit to 20mph on parts of Woodlands Avenue, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane.
We're looking through your feedback after consulting earlier this year and we'll let you know the next steps as soon as we've decided.
We've already consulted extensively on the design of the scheme itself and made significant changes based on your comments.
This route is set out in our long-term plan to improve walking, wheeling and cycling provision and is funded by Active Travel England.
We've also agreed to improve Woosehill roundabout in Wokingham as part of a planned active travel route between the town centre and Winnersh parish.
Both schemes support our climate emergency ambitions and our long-term aim of building fair, safe, green and connected communities.
With Christmas just around the corner, make sure you know how to plan your journey around any disruption. Our recent round-up covers everything from planned local roads and motorway closures to buses, trains and more.
 Amelie with friends, driver Rebecca and head teacher Mr Blay, meets Blizzard of Oz (tap to enlarge)
Young competition winners have true creative grit
Our five gritters have now all been named following a schools competition held by our road and footway maintenance partners at Volker Highways.
The winning pupils and their classmates enjoyed a visit from the crews and were able to see their newly-christened gritter in person.
They also climbed inside the cab to see how it works and set off the horn - which proved much louder than they expected!
The winners were:
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Blizzard of Oz - Amelie, six, Montague Park Primary School, Wokingham
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Ctrl Alt De-Ice - Jude, eight, St Paul's Junior School, Wokingham
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Grittney Spears - Henry, six, Keephatch Primary School, Wokingham and Finley, Hillside Primary School, Lower Earley (joint)
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Snowkingham - Laila, 11, The Holt School, Wokingham and Mia, nine, Hawkedon Primary School, Lower Earley (joint)
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The BFG (The Big Friendly Gritter) - Felix, seven, Nine Mile Ride Primary School
Volker are on standby from now until the end of the cold season, with crews checking forecasts several times a day and heading out where needed.
As well as gritting the roads, which they've done several times since temperatures dropped, they'll be able to clear any snow using a plough attachment.
You can find out more about our annual gritting arrangements - and check out our video of them and their crews in action!
We work hard to maintain our highways and keep them in good condition but they get more damaged in winter as water freezes and causes cracks. You can report potholes to us, and track the progress of an existing report, or report any other issue on the roads and footways over the Christmas break.
 Signs point way to easier walking and cycling
We've improved street signs in Wokingham town centre and elsewhere with funding from the Government.
In recent weeks, we've installed signposts and larger signs with maps at prominent locations like Elms Field, Market Place, Carnival Hub and several car parks.
We've also installed signs at Wokingham, Winnersh, Winnersh Triangle and Earley stations, all run by South Western Railway, and updated existing signage.
The maps show bus stops, bicycle parking, public toilets, playgrounds, larger shops and more, with a QR code linking to digital walking and cycling maps.
They'll help everyone get around more easily, whether they're new to the area or just getting to know it better.
For rail passengers making onward journeys by bike, there are already repair stands at Wokingham, Winnersh and Winnersh Triangle station, among other locations.
Don't forget that single local bus journeys that start in the borough are free this weekend (20 and 21 December) thanks to our Bus Service Improvement Plan and funding from the Government. Check out our website for full details.
 Signs coming down as new 30mph limits bed in
Earlier this year, we introduced new 30mph speed limits on several roads in response to your concerns about safety.
At the time, we put up signs (above) warning that new limits were in force so that everyone had plenty of time to adjust.
However, we'll be removing them early in the New Year because we can't legally leave them up for more than six months after the limits take effect.
They'll be removed from sections of:
- Bearwood Road, Winnersh
- Reading Road, Finchampstead
- Reading Road, Winnersh
Looking ahead, we're working on a new policy to clarify how we set speed limits safely across the borough and pick the right limits for the right conditions.
We base our decisions on national guidance, so we're already following good practice, but this policy will ensure we continue working as safely as possible.
It's been scrutinised by a cross-party committee of our councillors and will go forward for final approval in due course.
Big party coming up? Make sure you aren't left with more than a hangover if you're planning to drink - don't drive home afterwards! You could lose your licence or far worse. There are plenty of alternatives, from having a designated driver to getting the train, bus or a taxi.
 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.
Grazeley
Road closure - Fuller's Lane
Ongoing (emergency closure until further notice)
We've closed this road with a diversion for safety reasons, due to a damaged carriageway and headwall. Keep an eye on this newsletter for updates.
Woodley
Road closure - A4 Bath Road
Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December (closed 6am to 6pm both days)
The road will be closed in both directions just north of Shepherds Hill roundabout while we carry out essential bridge maintenance. There is a separate diversion for HGVs due to weight restrictions on Pound Lane / Butts Hill Road bridge.
Get weekly rubbish and recycling updates this Christmas! Sign up to Environment News for all you need to know about festive bin day changes and Christmas tree collections, as well as recycling and food waste tips.
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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