 Above: reconstruction work on Heathlands Road in January
Changes to dates for junction reconfiguration
The timeline of key dates for our work at the junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road has changed.
Below, we have outlined how the area will look at each milestone, which roads will be closed and when we hope to have each phase completed by. The dates we have given are subject to change and we will update you as soon as we can if this happens.
The changes to the phasing dates have been designed to minimise disruption, in conjunction with other elements of the wider South Wokingham Distributor Road project and to reduce traffic build-up.
Our current phase remains on schedule and Heathlands Road will open on 13 February. We are aiming to have the improvements at this junction completed by mid-April.
Once this has happened, the ten-month closure of Easthampstead Road, between Star Lane and Heathlands Road, will follow.
We then expect to have the new link road finished and open at the end of May, which will significantly reduce the diversion route.
This will run from Easthampstead Road to the distributor road and join up with Waterloo Road.
Easthampstead Road will be closed from 8pm on Friday 13 February through to 6pm on Sunday 15 February. This is to allow essential Openreach infrastructure to be installed. Pedestrian access will be maintained.
 Above: how the next phase of work will look at this junction (click to enlarge)
Phase 3: Three-way lights (16 to 27 February)
There will be three-way temporary traffic lights on both Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road for two weeks.
We will be putting in new kerbs and doing work on the verges.
This will follow the current phase of work, which has seen Heathlands Road closed for five weeks.
 Above: how the junction will look from during the fourth phase (click to enlarge)
Phase 4: Junction open (28 February to 16 March)
There will be a period when the junction will be open to traffic, with no work being carried out and no temporary traffic lights.
This is because we will be waiting for the work on our roundabout upgrade at the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane to move forward.
We will not move into the next phase until Finchampstead Road reopens, although there will still be about two weeks of overnight closures (8pm to 6am) on the roundabout for the final surfacing work.
The current closure point for the roundabout work is south of the junction, between Molly Millars Lane and Tangley Drive.
During this time, construction of the distributor road will continue as planned. Arrangements will seek to minimise disruption and reduce traffic build-up, limiting the overall impact on the road network.
 Above: how the junction will look when it is closed (click to enlarge)
Phase 5: Full closure (16 March to 10 April)
This is the final phase of the junction reconfiguration work and will see Easthampstead and Heathlands Road closed at all times for four weeks, with a diversion in place.
During the closure, we will be reconstructing the carriageway. This means the road surface is being dug up and so it’s not possible to safely allow vehicle movement.
There will also be drainage and paving work, as well as utility work, with much of this requiring underground investigations.
As stated above, this phase will only begin once Finchampstead Road is open during the day.
 Above: how the area will look when the ten-month closure begins (click to enlarge)
Easthampstead Road closing (10 April)
The diagram above is different to the others and is intended to show further up Easthampstead Road and when it will be closed between Star Lane and Heathlands Road from 10 April for ten months.
The South Wokingham Distributor Road will still be under construction, with the new link road set to open in May.
With the junction reconfiguration work completed, traffic will be able to flow between Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road.
As part of our wider changes to the road network in this area, part of Easthampstead Road will be permanently closed off to form a cul-de-sac, as shown in the diagram.
 Above: the link road is due to be completed in late May (click to enlarge)
New link road opens (29 May)
The junction of Heathlands Road and Easthampstead Road will open under permanent traffic lights.
The new link road will now be open, joining up with Waterloo Road and William Heelas Way.
Like the distributor road, the link road will be 30mph, with shared pedestrian and cycle facilities.
The 10-month closure of Easthampstead Road, between Star Lane and Heathlands Road will still be active, having started a month before.
Easthampstead Road will be closing for one night, starting at 8pm on Tuesday 3 March through to 6am on Wednesday 4 March. This is to allow SSEN to carry out overhead line diversionary works. Pedestrian access will be maintained.
Helpful links
You can see all disruption across the borough using our live roadworks map.
If you have any questions or want to report a problem related to this project, please email Balfour Beatty or call 0800 121 4444 during business hours.
Before getting in touch, please check that we haven’t already answered your question on our FAQs about how we’re building the road or how the finished layout will work.
Other helpful links include:
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