 Approaching the finish line on new link road
The new link road that forms part of the South Wokingham Distributor Road project is due to open on Friday 29 May.
This will connect what will be the main distributor road - joining from the Waterloo Road roundabout - to the junction with Easthampstead Road.
The link road is an important element to the changing layout in this area, with part of Easthampstead Road permanently becoming a cul-de-sac.
Through traffic will instead use the link road, which will also provide access to the new housing coming to South Wokingham.
Where Easthampstead Road meets Heathlands Road and the link road, the current uncontrolled T-junction is being changed to a four-arm signalised junction.
Like the distributor road, the link road will be 30mph and there will be shared pedestrian and cycle facilities. These will be the length of the road on one side and more than half of the other side.
The completion date is subject to final testing and we will let you know as soon as possible if this date changes.
Until the link road is completed, the best way to reach Holme Grange Craft Village is from the south on Heathlands Road, via Nine Mile Ride, or Easthampstead Road via Old Wokingham Road. The site has free parking and is open seven days a week.
 Above: a diagram showing how the road layout will look next year (click to enlarge)
How the link road opening affects your journey
We're currently working on a new junction for the Central Section of the distributor road.
With the ongoing closure of Easthampstead Road, the opening of the new link road provides an alternative route.
The road is closed between the Star Lane level crossing and just before Heathlands Road, with a diversion for vehicles and pedestrians.
It's not safe to allow anyone to pass through due to the nature of the works being done.
When the link road is completed, the new diversion route will be:
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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
As we've mentioned above, the link road also provides shared pedestrian and cycle facilities, making it a suitable way to get around the closure for those not travelling by car.
Meanwhile, footpath 5 (Heathlands Road to Waterloo Road roundabout) is also open again.
 Night works at Tesco roundabout
There will be overnight works at the Tesco roundabout on Finchampstead Road in Wokingham.
This is to complete surfacing and road markings and this is expected to take three nights, with a diversion in place.
From 8pm on Friday 8 May to 6am the following morning, there will be four-way temporary traffic lights.
Work on the second and third night will be from 8pm to 6am (Saturday 9 May to morning of Sunday 10 May) and 5pm to 6am (Sunday 10 May to morning of Monday 11 May) respectively.
This is to complete the final surfacing on all approaches to the Tesco roundabout and access will be closed at:
- The Finchampstead Road exit from the new roundabout, with no access under the railway bridge towards Tesco
- The Finchampstead Road exit from the roundabout at the junction of Denmark Street and Wellington Road, with the road closed after the BP garage
Access will be maintained for residents and businesses, but there may be delays while waiting to be escorted. Pedestrian access will also be maintained, but with similar potential wait times.
Following completion of these overnight works, the majority of traffic management in this area can be removed, which will help to ease congestion.
We are currently aiming to join the Tesco roundabout to the distributor road in August and more details about this work will be communicated closer to the time.
 All systems go as permanent traffic lights made live
Permanent traffic lights are now in place on Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane in Wokingham.
The signals have been made live following the completion of our new roundabout.
We experienced delays with a supplier, which meant the temporary lights needed to remain in place for longer than we had hoped and we're sorry for any delays to your journey as a result.
The lights and associated crossings provide dedicated places for pedestrians. This ties in with our wider improvements in this area, such as the widened paths, which improves safety and encourages active travel.
While the permanent lights will allow traffic to flow better compared to the temporary lights, we still need to monitor them and may need to make small changes to optimise the system.
Although signage has been reduced on Eastheath Avenue, the remaining signage and temporary speed cushions need to stay until a road safety audit has been completed. These are likely to be in place until at least July.
Helpful links and information
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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