 Easthampstead Road closure coming soon
From Monday 13 April, Easthampstead Road will be closed as part of the ongoing construction of the South Wokingham Distributor Road.
The road will be closed between the Star Lane level crossing and just before Heathlands Road, with a diversion for vehicles and pedestrians.
Businesses will remain open as usual and access to these, as well as properties south of the level crossing on Easthampstead Road, will be from the south.
Holme Grange Craft Village can be accessed from the south on Heathlands Road, via Nine Mile Ride or Honey Hill, and has free parking
There is more information about the diversion routes provided below.
The closure will be in place until early next year when the main work on the distributor road is completed.
However, as part of the final layout, Easthampstead Road will be permanently shut off to form a new cul-de-sac, as part of the long-term changes being made to the road layout in this area.
The Star Lane level crossing will remain open after the works are completed, but will be closed while works are taking place.
The long-term closure of Easthampstead Road will immediately follow the completion of the realignment work where the road meets Heathlands Road, with this work due to be completed by Friday 10 April, following a four-week closure of the junction.
 Above: a diagram showing the road layout from mid-April, prior to the completion of the link road (click to enlarge)
Diversion information: how to navigate closure
Vehicles
When Easthampstead Road is closed from 13 April, the diversion route will be as follows:
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Northbound: Old Wokingham Road, Waterloo Road, William Heelas Way, London Road (A329) and Peach Street (A329)
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Southbound: Peach Street (A329), Broad Street (A329), Rectory Road (A329), Wiltshire Road (A329), London Road (A329), William Heelas Way, Waterloo Road and Old Wokingham Road
When the new link road opens at the end of May, the route will change to:
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Northbound: Link road, William Heelas Way, London Road (A329) and Peach Street (A329)
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Southbound: Peach Street (A329), Broad Street (A329), Rectory Road (A329), Wiltshire Road (A329), London Road (A329), William Heelas Way, link road
 Pedestrians
There will be no pedestrian access through site during the long-term closure on Easthampstead Road due to the nature of the work being undertaken.
Following the completion of the work at the junction of Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road, footpath 5 (pictured above, Heathlands Road to Waterloo Road roundabout) will be reopening on 13 April.
When the link road work is completed at the end of May, this will also provide an alternative route, with shared pedestrian and cycle facilities. This will be the length of the road on one side and more than half of the other side.
We're doing what we can to bring forward the completion date of the link road to minimise the overlap with the closure on Easthampstead Road. We will provide a more precise opening date for the link road closer to the time.
 Above: a diagram showing how the road layout will look (click to enlarge)
What is happening during this long-term closure
We will be working on a new junction for the Central Section of the distributor road.
Where Easthampstead Road meets the distributor road, there will be a three-way signalised junction to provide access to and from the northern part of Easthampstead Road.
This change was necessary to allow safe access for the new homes coming to the area.
All northbound or southbound through traffic will instead follow a new link road, rejoining Easthampstead Road near the junction with Heathlands Road.
The length of the closure is required for:
- Existing Thames Water drainage systems need to be removed
- Two large pipes need to be installed under Easthampstead Road, forming the new upgraded large scale drainage network
- Connecting to the drainage system south of the railway line
- New underground infrastructure for electricity supplies and relocating the existing overhead lines
- Installation of new bus stops, traffic signals, footpaths, street lighting and safety barrier for permanent cul-de-sac
- Reconstruction of the carriageway once the above has been completed
You can read more about the changes to the road layout on our website.
 Western Gateway: Roundabout upgrade finished
Our roundabout project at the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane has been completed.
We've replaced the old mini roundabout with a much larger one, which will improve traffic flows in this area.
As part of this work, we've also made improvements to walking and cycling facilities with wider shared use footways, as well as installing new pedestrian crossings.
While the construction element of the project is completed, we are still finalising the traffic signals in this area.
Work started towards the end of July last year and was carried out in a phased approach to minimise disruption as much as possible, closing only one arm of the junction at any given time.
However, we're aware this work has caused journey times to increase, especially at peak times, and we're sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Improvements at the Tesco roundabout have also finished for the time being, though we will need to do further work here at some stage connect the roundabout to the Central Section of the distributor road.
 Craft village perfect spot for Easter weekend
Holme Grange Craft Village is home to more than 20 local, independent businesses.
The site in Wokingham is full of independent traders and artisan crafters, working in a collection of converted barns, as well as a range of outside seating and lots to keep the whole family entertained.
You can stop in over the long Easter weekend to use the shops, historic café, salons or book onto classes and workshops for the months ahead. Please check the individual businesses for opening hours.
There are also events running throughout the year. Watch this video to find out more about the traders there.
The site can currently be easily accessed from the south on Heathlands Road, via Nine Mile Ride or Honey Hill, and has free parking. Follow Holme Grange on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with what’s happening there.
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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