 Stunt squad wow crowds at new bike festival
The Fusion Extreme BMX team were the stars of the show at My Journey Wokingham's first ever Wokingham Cycle Festival on Sunday (28 June).
They performed stunt displays on the event field at Cantley Park in Wokingham and demonstrated to onlookers how they performed their tricks.
Our My Journey team were also there with a range of interactive games and information about travelling actively around the borough.
 Above: My Journey Wokingham's smoothie bike
The festival was part of this year's Wokingham Bikeathon, an annual community event which we're proud to support.
Scores of cyclists of all ages took part in rides of various lengths, including a series of free, shorter family rides organised by Kidical Mass.
The Bikeathon is generously organised by a team of local volunteers, with proceeds going to good causes both locally and further afield.
It's attended by dozens of clubs and community organisations who set up stalls and give out information to help people get cycling more.
Our My Journey Wokingham team organise and attend a range of events throughout the year. The next one is this Saturday (4 July) at Elms Field in Wokingham, rEVolution Electric Vehicle and E-bike event.
 Closure must remain due to construction hazards
People are asking why part of Easthampstead Road is still shut, including to cyclists and pedestrians, while we build the South Wokingham Distributor Road.
The closure and diversion is between Star Lane and north of Heathlands Road while we build a three-way junction where the new road meets the existing one.
This may be frustrating, but the scheme involves major engineering works including pits up to five metres deep (above) and heavy machinery in operation.
We're coordinating these works with firms who want to work on underground utilities at the same time, which reduces the need for further closures in future.
However, this means there's constant activity which would be unsafe for the public to be near, so there's no practical way of allowing access.
We might be able to reopen the route in October, at the earliest, for pedestrians only. However, this depends on progress and can't be guaranteed.
Work on the new road, which will provide access to the emerging new community in this area, is set to finish in early 2027.
Name chosen for the new link road, new aerial footage and a new roundabout taking shape - read more about how the South Wokingham Distributor Road is progressing in our dedicated newsletter.
 Rolling out new rules for fairer permit parking
We're now introducing our new residents' parking permit scheme, which officially came into effect yesterday (Wednesday 1 July).
This covers several locations across the borough and we'll be installing signs and painting new road markings over the next few weeks.
We'll only begin enforcing the new scheme in each location once the relevant signs and markings are in place.
Any permits that are currently valid will remain so until their expiry date, with no additional charges applied retrospectively.
These changes will make parking fairer through new and amended permit zones, updated hours and charges, and the introduction of visitor vouchers.
They were subject to extensive consultation, with a significant section of Ormonde Road in Wokingham removed from the proposals based on your feedback.
You can find out more on our website including the final approved plans, permit eligibility, charges and how to apply.
Got a question about parking in the borough more generally? Our webpage has all you need to know, from off-street car parks to park and ride services, concessionary badges, paying parking fines and more.
 Better travel through market place after regeneration
We’re celebrating our successful regeneration of Wokingham town centre, which made it more accessible to everyone while improving the local economy.
When we refurbished Market Place in partnership with Wokingham Town Council, we also improved parts of Broad Street, Denmark Street and Peach Street to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.
We removed road markings and bollards and reclaimed traffic lanes, then added raised crossings, new surfaces, disabled parking bays, cycle parking, unloading bays, and signage and maps.
The market place was pedestrianised and extended by paving an access road and removing a vehicle turning, which made the space around the town hall more attractive for public events and regular market days.
We paved this new central space with high-quality York stone, and we require utility firms to replace it like-for-like if they dig up the street for maintenance.
All of this created a greater sense of place, contributed towards healthy town centre footfall and improved air quality while still allowing vehicle access.
The regeneration of Wokingham town centre also included extensive improvements to roads and footways around the station, including better bus and cycle access, and we’ll be looking at that in more detail soon.
 An introduction to advanced riding
Wokingham Fire Station is hosting a session aimed at helping riders to enjoy safer journeys.
The Be a Better Biker workshop will be held on Saturday (4 July) from 10am to 2.30pm and it costs £25 to take part.
This is an introduction to advanced riding, covering a range of techniques.
Make sure you have a full tank of fuel, or at least 100 miles worth of fuel, and bring your own lunch, though tea and coffee will be provided.
 Upcoming roadworks
We 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.
Barkham
Multi-way lights, Barkham Street
Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 July, 9.30am to 4pm
There'll be multi-way lights between Barkham Road and Commonfield Lane for drainage maintenance works.
Sindlesham
Overnight road closure, New Road
Wednesday 8 July to Saturday 11 July, 7pm to 6am
The road will be closed between Mole Road and Bearwood Road for resurfacing works.
Woodley
Multi-way lights - Butts Hill
Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 July, 9.30am to 3pm
There'll be multi-way lights at the junction with Western Avenue for drainage maintenance works.
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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