 Lower speed limits proposed for safer streets
As part of our ongoing efforts to keep people safe on the roads, we're consulting on a number of speed limit reductions across the borough.
You've got a few hours left to share your views on plans for a 30mph limit at Shepherd's Hill roundabout near Woodley (closes midnight, Thursday 18 July).
We're also consulting until Thursday 2 July on plans for 30mph limits on various roads across Arborfield Green, Finchampstead and Twyford.
Finally, we're proposing to make the temporary 20mph speed limit on Eastheath Avenue in Wokingham permanent and extend it to Reeves Way, Heath Close, Eastheath Gardens, Thorpe Close and Crail Close.
These roads serve a residential area that's well used by pedestrians, including for the nearby Evendons Primary School and playing field. Godwin Close isn't included as it's a private road.
You can give your views on this statutory consultation until Thursday 9 July. All feedback will be carefully considered before we make a decision.
 Working towards a safer future for everyone
Speed limit reductions support our long-term transport policies, which were guided by your feedback including concerns about vehicle speeds.
They also support people to walk and cycle more, which is crucial for tackling the root cause of congestion, improving air quality and cutting carbon emissions.
We're considering further reductions for areas where people walk and cycle, which we drafted based on your feedback to support our speed limit policy.
We'll be consulting again on specific proposals in due course, as part of our Safer Streets initiative.
Want to lift your motorbiking skills to the next level? There's a Be A Better Biker course at Wokingham fire station on Saturday 4 July - find out more and book your place! There's also a course in Maidenhead on Saturday 1 August.
 Keeping everyone safe during big summer events
There'll be restrictions on roads in Aston and Remenham to support the major annual sporting and cultural events that take place in the area, including:
On Sunday 5 July, there'll also be restrictions in the Wargrave and Crazies Hill areas to support the Wargrave 10K.
We're also supporting this year's Hurst Show and Country Fayre with a road closure in the village centre on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June.
There'll be closures on Dell Road near Finchampstead on the evenings of Wednesday 1 July and Wednesday 5 August for the Yateley 10K series.
These events also require closures on streets to the south which are looked after by Hampshire County Council.
Don't miss the Wokingham Bikeathon at Cantley Park on Sunday 28 June! It includes a free family ride for little ones, led by Kidical Mass, and our My Journey Wokingham team will be hosting BMX stunt displays by Fusion Extreme as part of their first ever Wokingham Cycle Festival.
 Summer maintenance work progressing well
Our annual road maintenance programme is now in full swing and we've got a few road closures coming up next week to support it.
Subject to weather, we'll be closing part of New Wokingham Road in Crowthorne for a full resurfacing on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June (9.30am to 3pm only).
We're also closing part of these roads to apply the final seal to a previous surface dressing, which we typically do in high-traffic areas:
A surface dressing is an effective and economical alternative to full resurfacing, which seals the carriageway to stop existing damage from worsening.
It doesn't look neat like a full resurfacing, but it's covered by warranty and can extend the life of a carriageway for many years. This allows our resources to go further.
For safety reasons, drivers must follow the temporary 20mph restrictions that apply while there are loose chippings on the road.
Watch videos showing the difference between surface dressing and resurfacing.
 Making effective use of closure for maintenance
As we've previously announced, we're improving a section of Barkham Road in Wokingham under a series of overnight closures this week.
Originally, we were going to carry out patching on the carriageway for a planned surface dressing in the future.
However, we've decided to undertake full resurfacing because of the volume of patching required, and because Thames Water's works in the area will prevent daytime access for surface dressing for at least a year.
Meanwhile, to guard against flooding, we'll be clearing drainage channels on Barkham Ride in Finchampstead on Monday and Tuesday (22 and 23 June).
We're also carrying out maintenance work at the bridge on Mole Road, Sindlesham on Monday 22 June. Both these works require temporary traffic lights.
You can see the full listings for our annual maintenance programme and a detailed explanation of what it involves. Dates can change at the last minute if it rains - so if your street's on the list, check again nearer the time.
 Suppliers and dealers on board for EV event
We've now confirmed seven car brands for exhibition at our free rEVolution electric vehicle (EV) and e-bike awareness event on Saturday 4 July.
If you're thinking of making the switch, this fun event will help you learn more about buying and maintaining an EV including financing and funding options.
From 10am to 2pm, visit Elms Field in Wokingham (RG40 2FJ) to see models by Ford, Tesla, KIA, Citroen, Hyundai, Peugeot and BYD as well as e-bikes.
Group 1 Ford, Wilmoths Citroen, Eden Hyundai and Peugeot, Waylands KIA and Colchester EV Society will be offering advice, as will Velospeed and AW Cycles.
Reading Buses are exhibiting one of their new electric fleet while Char.gy, Opcharge and the Energy Saving Trust will give guidance on charging.
Our My Journey Wokingham team will be showcasing their e-cargo bikes for hire to businesses and there'll be a fun activity trail for all the family.
There'll also be bike marking with Thames Valley Police and free Dr Bike maintenance clinics (these must be booked in advance).
We know EV ownership is significantly increasing and that's set to continue, so we've prepared an ambitious EV charging strategy to help meet demand. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out in years to come, as part of a shift towards zero-emission vehicles.
 Parking fee rises essential to protect finances
Our fees for parking at off-street car parks across the borough will be increasing, as we've previously agreed, on Wednesday 1 July.
You can see a list of all car parks across the borough, including their charges and other key facts, on our website.
This annual increase is part of our medium-term financial plan, a document that sets out how we're going to meet the challenges of the years ahead.
Like all councils, we're facing huge pressures due to high demand for essential frontline services, especially various forms of adults' and children's social care.
We need to increase revenue from our car parks to cover the rising operational cost of running them, as well as funding highway maintenance more generally.
We started increasing fees in 2023, which was the first year we did so since 2018, to bring us more into line with comparable councils in the South East.
 Fairer new permit parking scheme to start next month
Following extensive consultation, our new residents' parking permit scheme will also be coming into effect from Wednesday 1 July.
This new scheme amends and extends some permit zones in neighbourhoods where high demand affects residents' ability to park.
It also changes some operational hours and charges, enables additional permits for households in the zones and introduces visitor vouchers.
Any currently active permits will remain valid until their expiry date, with no additional charges applied retrospectively. There'll be a one-month grace period for residents and other road users to get used to the changes.
You can visit our website to find out what's changing and any restrictions that may apply to you, and apply for anything you might need.
For more on why we're making these changes, and how your input shaped the final decision, check out our consultation page.
Your views shape lots of things that affect how you get around the borough - and other aspects of daily life. To find out more, see our Engage Wokingham Borough page or sign up to our Engage consultation newsletter.
 Plan your journey around roadworks
Next week's most disruptive works are likely to be the annual maintenance works outlined in detail earlier in this newsletter.
You can see a list of all upcoming works in your area or browse our interactive map.
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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