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Moving Around the Borough

Doing our part to reduce road flooding

We'll be carrying out drainage improvement works at six locations next week, which will require temporary two-way traffic signals.

These works will take place on:

• Church Road, Earley (Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 February)
• Wokingham Road, Earley (Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 February)
• Lower Wokingham Road, Crowthorne (Tuesday 3 February)
• Brookers Hill, Shinfield (Tuesday 3 February)
• also on Brookers Hill, Shinfield (Tuesday 3 February)
• Eversley Road, Arborfield (Thursday 5 and Friday 6 February)

We get a lot of queries about flooding on roads in the winter, and much of our network depends on roadside ditches and other watercourses being properly maintained.

We do carry out targeted work at flood-prone locations, using CCTV to identify where repairs and maintenance are needed, at various points in the year.

However, we aren't responsible for every stream, ditch or other channel. Most in the borough are on private land and it's the landowner's duty to keep them clear.

It's easy to get stuck in flood water, as a driver in Charvil found out last week, so don't risk driving through it - look for an alternative route.

Work started this week on a walking and cycling route from Woodley to Reading, while the closure points shifted for improvements to the junction of Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road in Wokingham. Part of Heathlands Road also remains closed for work on the South Wokingham Distributor Road.

Image: Thames Water

Closure for urgent pipe upgrade starts next month

Don't forget Thames Water are closing and diverting part of Bearwood Road in Barkham from Monday 9 February until late September.

They need to upgrade water pipes that are facing increased demand from the growing number of new homes at the former Arborfield Garrison.

We've previously put these works off but now it's urgent - if the pipes burst, which has happened before in the area, we'd need an emergency road closure anyway.

This would leave homes and business without water, and we're legally obliged to help utility providers prevent any interruption to people's supply.

We always coordinate works applications to minimise disruption, but sometimes we have to allow them even though other disruptive works are already happening.

We've postponed several applications for works that aren't urgent, and will continue to do so wherever we can.

Where utility firms are working on pipes or cables, contact them directly for updates as we aren't responsible for their works or infrastructure and they will have the latest information. There'll be contact details and reference numbers on their on-site signage, or check the interactive roadworks map.

Resurfacing nearing end for financial year

We're carrying out some of the final road resurfacing works (above) that we planned in our annual roads and footways maintenance programme for 2025/26.

These works, which require a road closure and diversion, will take place (subject to good weather) on:

• Barge Lane, Swallowfield (Monday 2 February)
• Trowes Lane, Swallowfield (Monday 2 February)
• Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley (Monday 2 February)
• Swallowfield Street, Swallowfield (Tuesday 3 February)
• Lambs Lane, Swallowfield (Tuesday 3 February)
• Castle Hill, Farley Hill (Tuesday 3 to Wednesday 4 February)
• Keephatch Road, Wokingham (Tuesday 3 February)
• Victoria Road, Wargrave (Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 February)
• Charvil Lane, Sonning (Thursday 5 and Friday 6 February)
• Mount Pleasant, Wokingham (Friday 6 February)
• Patten Ash Drive, Wokingham (Friday 6 February)

To ensure our limited resources are spent wisely, we save full resurfacing for roads that need it most. Less worn roads can be given a surface dressing, which seals the existing carriageway to prevent further damage.

This may not look as neat as a full resurfacing but it's more cost-effective, can extend a road's life by up to 10 years and is backed by the Department for Transport.

We inspect the roads all year round to guide our maintenance programme, and we'll share details about next year's works as soon as we can.

This year's programme will have seen 22 locations resurfaced, plus more than 100 surface dressings and 19 footway repairs. You can report a problem if you think we've missed it, but we have to invest in areas that need it most. We'll always take whatever action is needed to meet our legal duties.

Above: specialist teams are carrying out repairs after a previous effort failed due to ground collapse

Sewer repairs set to wrap up before spring

Thames Water's repairs to a damaged sewer on Evendons Lane in Wokingham, which remains closed, are still on course to finish by late February.

Work on a new manhole is almost completed, with enabling works and additional CCTV checks on the sewer starting this week.

Lining works should start in the week beginning 16 February, which may require continuous work into evenings or weekends.

This has been a complex repair requiring specialist teams, and timeframes might change based on ground conditions.

Lane closure after sinkhole opens in street

Thames Water are also carrying out emergency investigations and repairs on a sunken manhole in Rectory Road in Wokingham.

The full timescales aren't yet known, but there's currently no left turn from the one-way system onto Glebelands Road.

We'll update our map if anything changes and share updates in this newsletter.

Reading Buses, which runs services across the borough alongside sister firm Thames Valley Buses, raised £16,000 in 2025 for its charity partner Berkshire Youth, helping to intervene early in various issues facing young people. 

Colourful artwork takes trip through time on trains

A stunning new graffiti mural has been unveiled in the pedestrian underpass at Winnersh Triangle station to celebrate 200 years of Britain's railways.

The artwork, commissioned by Winnersh Parish Council, depicts the network's progression from the Victorian steam era to the present day.

It was painted over four days and planned with support from Network Rail, who own the structure, and the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership (SECRP).

It also bears the logo of South Western Railway, who manage and serve the station and have recently rolled out new, upgraded trains on their network.

This follows a community art project at Wokingham station, featuring contributions from learning disability group CLASP and supported by Optalis and SECRP.

While Wokingham station dates back to 1849, Winnersh Triangle opened in 1986 to serve the newly-built business park and nearby housing.

The Government has frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years to encourage rail travel and support the cost of living. It is also nationalising the rail network, which it says will make services more efficient.

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.

Charvil

Multi-way lights - High Street
Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 February

There'll be temporary lights near the Wee Waif and roundabout while Thames Water carry out a new supply connection.

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