 Gas works will ensure reliable supply for decades
There'll be a 24-hour closure on Milton Road in Wokingham from next Monday (29 June) until Friday 28 August while SGN replace a gas main.
This is part of a wider programme to replace aging metal gas mains with new yellow plastic ones (above, photo by SGN) designed to last up to 80 years.
SGN's contractors will be working in three phases (dates subject to change):
- Matthewsgreen Road to Jubilee Avenue – 29 June to 17 July
- Jubilee Avenue to Glebelands Road – 20 July to 7 August
- Glebelands Road to Bird Mews – 10 August to 28 August
A full roundabout closure at the junction with Jubilee Avenue may be required during the first two phases. For any enquiries, call SGN on 0800 912 1700 or email them.
 Next phases for Barkham water works confirmed
As part of their essential upgrade to water supply pipes, Thames Water hope to finish their current works on Bearwood Road near Barkham by 1 September.
They will then move onto Barkham Road, which will be closed and diverted in stages to the west of Bearwood Road until summer 2027.
Dates are still to be confirmed, but the stages are as follows:
- Bearwood Road to Barkham Street
- Barkham Street to Barkham Bridge (east side)
- Barkham Bridge (west side) to School Road
- School Road to Langley Common Road
Thames Water have permission to close Bearwood Road until 30 September in case work overruns, but they won't close Barkham Road until Bearwood Road reopens.
When Barkham Road is shut, there may be a need for brief overnight closures on Bearwood Road to carry out pressure testing on the new pipes.
 Improving water quality at precious local habitat
As we previously reported, Thames Water will be carrying out restoration works at Heath Lake near Crowthorne from Monday (29 June) to Friday 28 August.
This includes temporary traffic lights on part of New Wokingham Road as well as a weekend closure on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July for equipment delivery.
Like all councils, we have to help utility firms carry out works that are needed to maintain supply for residents and businesses. We coordinate works to reduce disruption where possible, but we can't refuse a reasonable request.
 Help us improve traffic flow and safety in your area
We're looking to add 16 new sites for cameras to ensure that drivers are following rules like no entry points, banned turns and yellow box junctions.
This will support our ongoing aims of improving road safety, reducing congestion, helping the buses run on time and improving air quality.
You can find out more and share your views before consultation ends on 2 August.
Moving traffic enforcement has proven effective since we took on these powers in 2023, with offences falling 17.6 per cent overall from 2024/25 to 2025/26.
We've chosen the new proposed sites using traffic data and local checks. Drivers who break the rules at any site may receive a fine.
We want to hear from residents, businesses and anyone who uses our roads before we make any decisions, so we can ensure the plans work well for everyone.
 Above (click to enlarge): the proposal for the A4 which is set for approval this evening
Green light expected for A4 improvement plans
Plans to improve journeys on the A4 London Road are set to go ahead, with new bus priority measures and road layout changes to help traffic flow better.
The measures are aimed at Suttons Seeds roundabout near the Reading boundary, where buses and drivers currently face delays, particularly during peak hours.
They include new bus lanes, updated traffic signals, clearer road markings and changes to how buses access the A4, in order to reduce journey times and encourage more people to use public transport.
We're also proposing bus stop upgrades to improve safety and comfort for passengers. The project went through extensive public consultation and will be funded by a Government grant and developer contributions.
If it is approved by our decision-making executive this evening (25 June), we expect to finish work on the scheme by September 2027.
This follows our recent decision to invest an additional £500,000 per year into bus and community transport services across the borough.
Our vision for better bus services is set out in our Bus Service Improvement Plan, prepared alongside operators to guide our next steps and secure financial support from the Government. It sets out what we'd like to happen over the coming years, but all measures are subject to funding.
 Check before travelling as trains hit by heat
If you have an unused ticket for a GWR or SWR service between Tuesday and Friday this week, you can use it any day up to and including Tuesday 30 June instead.
This is because reduced services are running due to high temperatures, and passengers are being strongly advised to travel only when necessary.
Services are running slowly and less often because hot weather affects trains, rails and equipment. Check for disruption on the day, as things can change quickly.
Allow extra time for your journey, bring water and don't travel if you feel unwell at the station. Speak to a member of staff, who'll be able to help.
Temperatures are set to start cooling from tomorrow, but the next few days will still be hot. If you're driving long distances, follow the official advice to stay safe.
 Heatwave affects our road maintenance works
We're wrapping up this year's surface dressing treatments, with only some final sealing to go. This is a cost-effective way to prolong the life of the carriageway.
Because of this week's heatwave, we've had to postpone these works until the weekend (27 and 28 June) so check our live listings to see if your street is affected.
Many road maintenance works cannot effectively be carried out above a certain temperature, or when it's raining, as they would be at risk of failing.
We're working at dozens of locations across the borough this summer as part of our multi-million pound annual roads and footways maintenance programme.
This is in addition to the repair work that we carry out all year round, based on our regular inspections of the network and your reports of any damage.
Access to properties staying open where possible
When we close a street for maintenance treatments, these are mostly for through traffic as we maintain access to properties wherever it's safe to do so.
However, there may be brief periods of waiting while we make access safe. If you have questions, there'll be someone on site to talk with or send a message.
As we work on our active travel route from Woodley to Reading, we hope to move the current closure and diversion on Woodlands Avenue to between Crockhamwell Road and Lytham Road on Monday (29 June). This new date is also due to the heat. We'll take a revised look at the full programme soon.
 Click or tap to enlarge this image
Parking fine scam: don't feed the crooks!
Once again, some residents have received a text claiming they owe us an overdue Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), or parking fine.
This links to a fake Government website (pictured above) displaying the potential victim's details and a threat of court action.
It may look convincing as it may have your name or registration number, as well as our logo, but the scammers will have obtained these details by other means.
You should just delete these messages as we would either place a penalty charge notice (PCN) on your windscreen or contact the registered keeper by post.
Don't click any links or confirm any personal information - and if you think you've already given banking details to a scammer, follow official advice on what to do next.
You can forward this email to anyone who's concerned, or encourage them to sign up for this newsletter every week.
If we've given you a genuine PCN, you can pay online or find out more about how you can challenge it. We consider appeals on their own merits and circumstances, and can't deal with them over the phone or in person.
 Want the full picture on roadworks?
We've already outlined next week's most disruptive works in this newsletter, but 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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