 Village bridge still shut after lorry smash
We're working to reopen Church Road in Swallowfield, which remains closed at the bridge between Nutbean Lane and Part Lane after a lorry crashed into it.
We've checked the underside using a camera, which was delayed by heavy rain and high river levels, so we're now happy that the structure is safe for traffic.
We're just waiting for delivery of concrete blocks to form a temporary barrier between the road and the river beneath, where the old wall was destroyed.
This will make the bridge narrower than usual and will require temporary traffic lights, so journeys in this area may take longer.
We'll keep you updated as things progress. This road isn't suitable for articulated lorries, and there are signs warning drivers about this.
 Final sewer repairs in the pipeline
Thames Water are about to start their final repairs to a damaged sewer on Evendons Lane in Wokingham, which has been closed since last summer.
This requires temporary traffic lights at the junction with Finchampstead Road:
- from 8pm tomorrow (Friday 20 February) to 6am on Monday 23 February
- from 8pm on Friday 27 February to 6am Monday 2 March
They're using sewer lining, a technique that allows them to repair damaged or cracked pipes without digging up the road.
A new lining is inserted into the existing pipe, then hardened using heat or ultra-violet light to create a strong new pipe inside the old one.
 Closures in Wokingham for community events
As we reported last week, there are rolling road closures in the Wokingham area for the Wokingham Half Marathon this Sunday (22 February).
Next Sunday (1 March) there'll be closures in Market Place and Denmark Street for Wokingham Town Council's Lunar New Year celebrations.
There'll be performances, arts, crafts, and street food from 11am to 3pm, with closures agreed from 7.30am until 5pm. Please come by bus or train if you can.
 New road build requires temporary lights
There'll be temporary lights at the junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road in Wokingham from Monday (23 February) until Friday 6 March.
This is part of our South Wokingham Distributor Road project, and will be followed by a junction closure between 16 March and 10 April.
You can see the full impacts on our website or sign up for more detailed updates on this project, which is needed to enable access to new housing.
 Motorway back to normal after incidents force closure
The M4 is flowing again in both directions after being closed between Junctions 10 and 11 for much of Tuesday and Wednesday (17 and 18 February).
This was due to a series of incidents beyond our control, including a crash following a police chase which shut the westbound carriageway on Tuesday.
Both carriageways were then shut when Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) discovered a pylon off Hatch Farm Way near Winnersh was damaged.
This required a 100m safety zone, and National Highways shut the M4 because an overhead power cable was running across it.
SSEN worked overnight to make the site safe and the motorway reopened before this morning's peak. Hatch Farm Way is expected to stay shut until Saturday.
Part of Bearwood Road in Barkham is now closed for Thames Water's essential upgrades to mains pipes. You can check for all disruption on local roads using our map or check for motorway disruption on National Highways' website.
 Pictured: a permanent pothole repair. Temporary repairs may be carried out initially to make roads safe again
Staying on top of potholes with your help
This is always the worst season for potholes, though we're dealing with a higher number than usual this year because of extraordinary weather.
However, we're still responding in good time to emergency reports and carrying out temporary repairs to keep you safe, with permanent repairs following.
Our total reports until December were well below average but last month we had 463 reports, the highest January total since at least 2021.
This is due to long freezes and exceptional rainfall, with southern England seeing its sixth wettest January since 1836 - and other councils having similar problems.
We inspect the roads throughout the year, but we can’t be everywhere and your reports will help us. You can also track the progress of a report on our website.
Rain contributes to potholes forming by seeping in and weakening the layers under a road, and breaking up surfaces when it freezes and expands.
Flood alerts are still in place for the borough, so check the latest online. Another vehicle was rescued by fire crews from a ford at Swallowfield last week - don't risk driving through flood water and follow the official advice from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
 Click or tap to enlarge this image
New 30mph limits proposed for village centre
We're planning to reduce the speed limits from 40mph to 30mph on various streets in Grazeley, subject to a statutory consultation process.
This comprises all of Mortimer Road, Church Lane and Bloomfield Hatch Lane, and parts of Lambwood Hill, Grazeley Road, Mereoak Lane and Grazeley Green Road.
We're proposing this partly in response to your concerns, though supported by our extensive investigations and consultation with Thames Valley Police.
If implemented, we believe this lower speed limit would improve road safety in what is primarily a residential area.
The existing 20mph variable speed limit outside Grazeley Primary School, on Mortimer Road, would remain in place following the change.
You can respond on our Engage platform until Thursday, 5 March.
 Anti-rat run measures completed to improve safety
We've installed bollards in Church Lane, Arborfield, to prevent it from being used as a shortcut by motorists who are passing through the village.
Instead, through traffic must now travel via the main route on Reading Road, Sindlesham Road and Mole Road, including Arborfield Cross roundabout.
Cyclists can still get through, and access is open at either end. Emergency services can remove the bollards using a special key.
These measures were installed partly in response to residents' concerns about traffic speeding along their street while using it as a shortcut.
Did you know drink-driving wasn't always illegal? The law is forever changing, as this video shows - drivers must now give extra priority to pedestrians and cyclists at side roads, and leave room when overtaking cyclists and horses.
 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.
Earley
Temporary lights - Church Road
Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 February, 9.30am to 4pm
There'll be temporary lights at the junction with Palmerstone Road while Virgin Media install telecoms equipment.
Sonning
Temporary lights - Pound Lane
Monday 23 to Friday 27 February, 9.30am to 4pm
There'll be temporary lights at the junction with Western Avenue and Butts Hill Road while BT install and maintain telecoms equipment.
Twyford
Lane closure - New Bath Road (eastbound)
Monday 23 to Friday 27 February, 9.30am to 4pm
There'll be a lane closure at the Wargrave Road roundabout while we rebuild a footway.
Temporary lights - Waltham Road
Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 February, 9.30am to 4pm
There'll be temporary lights between London Road and Hurst Road while BT carry out works.
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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