View in browser

Moving Around the Borough

Drive carefully after junction improvements

We've made some improvements to the old war memorial junction in Finchampstead, where Jubilee Road meets The Ridges.

We've cut back overgrown vegetation and repainted the centre and give way lines, as well as the "slow" markings and red surfacing.

This should improve visibility and make clear who has priority, in response to people's safety concerns and a recent history of incidents.

We've also set up cameras and traffic counters to gather detailed information about how vehicles pass through the junction.

We're doing what we can to reduce the risk of driver error, but police data shows this was the cause of almost every collision at this site.

Watch your speed and give way to those with priority if you're passing through, and leave enough braking distance for the weather conditions.

We're looking at further changes to this junction alongside Finchampstead Parish Council, though this would need time to plan properly.

It's the Reading Half Marathon this Sunday (22 March) and there'll be road closures at the borough border with Reading, including around the Select Car Leasing Stadium and on the University of Reading's Whiteknights campus.

Replacing carriageway barriers to protect everyone

There'll be full overnight closures and lane closures on the A3290, between Thames Valley Park and Winnersh Triangle, while we replace the central barriers.

From Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 April, the westbound stretch from the Winnersh on-slip road towards Reading will shut from 9.30pm to 5am each night.

On Thursday 9 and Friday 10 April, the eastbound stretch from Suttons Seeds flyover towards Wokingham will close at the same times.

Both closures are for surfacing and installing a temporary vehicle barrier. From Friday 10 April to Friday 17 July, the outside westbound and eastbound lanes will be closed to keep workers safe while installing new central barriers.

There'll be more overnight closures, most likely Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 July, to remove the temporary barriers. We'll confirm that nearer the time.

Leave extra time if you're using damaged bridge

Following the recent damage to the bridge in Church Road, Swallowfield, we've put temporary traffic lights in place to keep everyone safe.

We're still looking into options for permanent repairs and we'll let you know the next steps in due course, so watch this space.

Overtaking a lorry? Make sure you know their blind spots, and don't hang around in them. Find out more in this 20-second video from National Highways.

Click or tap to enlarge this image

New rules to support walking and cycling route

As work progresses on our active travel route from Woodley to Palmer Park in Reading, we're trialling some traffic restrictions alongside it to keep you safe.

We've introduced them under an experimental Traffic Regulation Order, meaning we'll run a six-month consultation to monitor how they're working in practice. You can give your views at any time and we'll review all comments when it ends.

We've painted double yellow lines along Woodlands Avenue, between Lytham Road and Roslyn Road. There's no waiting or loading at any time along the northern side of this section, and no waiting at any time along the southern side.

This will ensure the road is kept clear for the vehicles that need to use it. We'll share all the feedback we receive and let you know the next steps as soon as we can.

The full active travel route will run via Woodlands Avenue, Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane. Construction should finish later this year and the project is funded by the Department for Transport.

To support this, we've agreed to implement a 20mph speed limit on Woodlands Avenue between the precinct and Fairwater Drive.

More opportunities to shape how you get around

Our consultation on how we invest in the borough's bus services is about to close, and you've got until tomorrow (Friday, 20 March) to have your say on that.

We're also consulting on improvements to the A4 at the borough boundary with Reading, including a bus lane to reduce congestion for everyone.

Finally, you can tell us which areas you think would benefit from lower speed limits as part of our efforts to improve safety and respond to your concerns.

We're also creating a strategy to support active lifestyles, which includes travelling around more actively for personal or working reasons. We want to understand how active you are now, and how we can help you build on that - please take a moment to let us know!

Hop along to Easter cycling extravaganza!

There'll be plenty of family cycling fun when our My Journey Wokingham team host their annual Easter Bike Bonanza on Thursday, 9 April.

The event takes place from 11am to 2pm on the track behind FBC Centre, off Gorse Ride North in Finchampstead.

Attractions include balance bikes for 2-4 year olds to practice balancing on two wheels, and a bike obstacle course (please bring your own bike and helmet).

You can make a healthy pedal-powered drink on the team's smoothie bike, play their spinning wheel for prizes and get walking and cycling advice. There'll also be free Dr Bike checks, which need to be booked in advance.

You can also meet the team at the community event at Arborfield Green Community Centre between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, 4 April.

Visit My Journey's events page for more on their regular programme of bicycle training for all ages, from pre-schoolers upwards.

We're also encouraging people to book a place on the Lions Club's annual Wokingham Walk from 8.30am on Sunday, 19 April. There are routes for all ability levels and it supports a range of fantastic local charities. 

Upcoming roadworks

The final overnight closures at the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane in Wokingham are now underway. These upgrade works, which support the South Wokingham Distributor Road, should finish by next Saturday (March 28).

We also 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.

Finchampstead

Temporary lights - Sandhurst Road
Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 March, 9.30am to 4pm daily)

There'll be two-way lights near the junction with Range Road while Gigaclear carry out fibre cable works.

Road closure - Nine Mile Ride
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March

The road will be closed between Park Lane and White Horse Lane while South East Water carry out new customer connections. This will start after our roundabout works in Wokingham finish, with no overlap.

Shinfield

Overnight closures - Shinfield Road roundabout
Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 March (8pm to 6am)

There'll be phased closures with limited access while we carry out some additional resurfacing works.

Sonning

Temporary lights - Pound Lane
Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 March (9.30am to 4pm)

There'll be two-way lights near the junction with Duffield Road while BT carry out fibre cable works.

Twyford

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