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Moving Around the Borough

Just one week to go! After next Thursday's edition (18 December) we'll be pausing our Moving Around the Borough schedule until 8 January, when it'll return to its usual 5pm slot every Thursday.

Improvements will support pedestrians and cyclists

We're set to overhaul Woosehill roundabout in Wokingham to make it more convenient and accessible for walking and cycling.

The works at the junction of Woosehill Spine Road and the A329 Reading Road have been agreed, subject to detailed design, though no construction date is set.

Construction will be timed to minimise disruption and won't happen while the South Wokingham Distributor Road works are adding pressure to the network.

The scheme includes new toucan crossings and a section of segregated two-way cycleway along Reading Road, plus sections of shared-use path.

The new crossing near Mill Close will strengthen connections to the Emmbrook schools by improving access to the nearby footpath under the railway.

This scheme is being funded by Active Travel England and other external sources including Wokingham Town Council and Safer Routes to School.

Above (click or tap to enlarge): the proposed improvements are part of a bigger plan to link Winnersh and Wokingham

Connecting our communities more sustainably

This is part of a bigger plan for an active travel route on Reading Road between Sadlers Lane, just within Winnersh parish, and Broad Street in Wokingham.

We consulted on this extensively and are planning to build it in stages, again with funding from outside bodies including Active Travel England.

As with the overall route, the Woosehill roundabout stage has been redesigned since the original proposal based on your feedback.

We'll give plenty of notice and an overview of the impact before any work starts.

In the long term, we want to improve walking and cycling links across the borough through schemes outlined in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

We're about to announce further details for construction work on our active travel route from Woodley to Palmer Park in Reading, which is set to start in late January and run for much of 2026. Watch this space for more.

Dual carriageway reopens after large crack fixed

We'd like to thank our partners at Volker Highways for working quickly to repair a 1km crack along the northbound A33 near Swallowfield this week.

This was done with overnight closures on Tuesday and Wednesday (9 and 10 December) to avoid the disruption of a full closure.

The teams stripped 4cm (1.6in) off the top of the cracked inside lane, allowing them to fill it with a special sealant at a deeper structural level.

They then resurfaced it before reopening both lanes.

The inside lane had been coned off for safety reasons since the fault was reported, so we're pleased to have this well-used road back at full capacity.

This is a temporary repair while we investigate the underlying cause and look for a permanent solution. 

We've taken samples from the road to investigate and will let you know as soon as possible when we've decided what we're going to do next.

We've updated timings for works on Easthampstead Road in Wokingham as part of our South Wokingham Distributor Road project, while Finchampstead Road will stay shut over Christmas as reopening it would delay progress. Subscribe to the South Wokingham newsletter for the latest updates.

It's never too late to learn to ride safely!

We've just run some hugely successful adult cycle training at Alder Grove Primary School in Shinfield - and we'd like to offer more in the New Year.

Whatever your age, we can help you develop everything from basic handling skills to road awareness and safe riding around other road users.

We're also looking to repeat our Nordic Walking training, which we recently held at Swallowfield and was enjoyed by everyone who took part.

This full-body walking workout uses poles to gently engage most of your muscles and build strength, balance, posture and heart and lung health.

If either of these interest you, please get in touch with our My Journey Wokingham active travel team to be put on a waiting list.

This is all part of our efforts to make it easier to get around using healthy, sustainable alternatives to driving where possible.

My Journey offer training for all ages, including their regular Balance Bike Club and Learn to Ride children's sessions - more on their events page. They're also offering prizes to youngsters who bling up their bike, scooter or backpack - enter the competition before next Friday (19 December)!

Drinking and driving kills - have none for the road

With party season upon us, some may be tempted to drive after drinking - but here are some sobering facts from road safety charity Brake.

Drink-driving is one of the biggest killers on our roads, accounting for more than 200 deaths nationally per year and increasing over the festive period.

Even below the legal limit, a small amount of alcohol in your blood makes you much more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than none at all.

You can't guess how much you've had, nor judge how it's affecting you, so the only responsible way is to not drink or to find alternatives to driving.

You can designate a sober driver, get a taxi or use public transport. You could stay overnight, but remember you might still be under the influence the next day.

If you're caught drink-driving, you could lose your licence, be jailed for life or face an unlimited fine - not to mention ruining other peoples' lives forever.

Party before Christmas? Single local bus journeys that start in the borough are still free for the next two weekends, thanks to our Bus Service Improvement Plan and funding from the Government. Check out our website for full details.

Upcoming roadworks and festive disruption

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.

Part of Nine Mile Ride at Finchampstead is also closed for most of this weekend (13 and 14 December), with a diversion in place.

There'll be road closures, changes to public transport and more over Christmas and the New Year so check out our guide to planning your festive travel.

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
• 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