 Above: our previous smaller-scale EV charger installations across the borough were shortlisted for awards
Seeking spark with partner for EV charging vision
With a nationwide ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles coming up, we've agreed our next steps to help people adopt electric vehicles (EVs).
We're seeking a long-term partner for installing and running a varied network of charging points, which will be accessible and financially sustainable.
Our goals include improving access for residents who don't have their own off-street parking, as they face more obstacles in switching.
We'll soon be inviting bids and hope to appoint a partner by next spring. As part of the agreement, we'll consider all options including new or emerging technologies.
About 40,000 EVs or 30 per cent of all cars could be registered in Wokingham Borough by 2030, and we want to have more than 400 chargepoints by then.
We'd receive a share of any surplus to support the services we provide.
We agreed an EV Charging Strategy last year, and this supports our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the borough.
Do you know your rights when buying a used car? Our shared Public Protection Partnership recently helped customers recover more than £500,000 from local dealers who weren't meeting the right rules and standards.
 Above: the historic Sonning Cutting needs complex, long-term work to stabilise its slopes and prevent landslides
Second bridge to shut as rail works progress
Network Rail are closing the rail bridge at Butts Hill Road in Woodley on Monday (9 November) as part of ongoing works to stabilise Sonning railway cutting,
It will be closed to traffic until about mid-January next year, though pedestrian access will remain open. Cyclists will need to dismount to get through.
The rail bridge on Warren Road, also in Woodley, is already closed to support these works and will remain closed to all users until spring 2028.
It isn't possible to keep Warren Road open to pedestrians, as Network Rail need the space for a site compound to store equipment and materials.
Over the coming years, they'll be driving large steel nails into the soil and installing an advanced drainage system to address a long-standing problem with slippage.
Further works will be needed after Warren Road reopens, with the project running into 2030, and we'll keep you updated on the impacts as this gets nearer.
See Network Rail's overview of the scheme or a detailed fact sheet about different elements including ecological impacts.
SGN have closed most of King Street Lane in Winnersh as part of an ongoing upgrade to a gas main serving the area, having finished work on Robin Hood Lane. See their full programme in our previous newsletter.
 Cycle track work starts in Earley as path opens
We're still progressing our active travel route from Woodley to Reading, which is now under construction on Culver Lane (see diagram) in Earley.
Our teams have finished building a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists under the railway and A3290 bridge, between the junctions of Wykeham Road and Blackthorn Close.
This section is now open while the road has been narrowed to a single lane, with westbound traffic giving way, as well as being resurfaced.
We finished this slightly later than planned, but we had to work carefully around a complex web of underground utilities and faced drainage problems due to rain.
The closure and diversion is now between Anderson Avenue and Eastcourt Avenue while our partners at Volker Highways install a two-way segregated cycle track along the southern side of Culver Lane.
From next Wednesday (11 November) the closure will be between Eastcourt Avenue and Palmerstone Road, affecting local bus routes for three to four weeks. Reading Buses will share any service updates on their website.
The full route runs from Woodley precinct to Palmer Park and is funded by the Department for Transport. We're still working to finish the project by the end of the year and will continue sharing the latest news here.
 Click or tap to enlarge, or follow the link below to see these works on our interactive map
Dealing with delays from Shinfield signal upgrades
We know the traffic light upgrades at Shinfield Road roundabout are delaying some people's journeys and, as always, we’re working with our contractors to ensure they’re completed as quickly as possible.
We’re replacing old lights that are nearing the end of their useful life, so they're crucial in keeping our network moving safely and effectively in the long run.
The contractor Yunex is reviewing lane closure arrangements and signage to try and help vehicles filter quicker, which we hope may reduce the impact.
However, it's impossible to avoid some disruption and we thank you for your patience. We're currently set to finish on Friday 4 December but we'll try hard to finish sooner.
They require a diversion for anyone wanting to turn right into the Shinfield Park estate from Whitley Wood Lane, and we apologise for the additional impact.
However, cycling our temporary traffic lights to allow an additional right turn would cause further delays on this stretch so we've chosen the least disruptive option.
These works were pre-advertised with roadside signs and through our online channels, but we'll review whether additional approaches would be helpful. Check upcoming works on our two-week forward list, see all planned works on the interactive map or sign up for this newsletter.
 Plan around train disruption on two weekends
Rail replacement buses will run between Reading, Winnersh Triangle, Winnersh and Wokingham and either Guildford or Bracknell next Sunday (15 November).
For onward journeys, there'll also be a reduced hourly service between Guildford and Redhill or Gatwick Airport, with some stops served every two hours.
This is for rail improvement works and affects services by Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway (SWR).
Meanwhile, there are no services from Reading or Twyford to London Paddington on the weekend of 28 and 29 November because of rail improvement works.
You can travel to Waterloo by taking a direct SWR train from Reading or taking a GWR service to Guildford and changing. There'll also be a limited Elizabeth Line service between Reading and Twyford.
SWR's Waterloo trains are expected to be busy all weekend because of the Nations Championship rugby finals at Twickenham.
 Christmas and New Year disruption also on the cards
Looking further ahead, there'll be no services between Reading and London Paddington from Christmas Day to Sunday 3 January.
This includes the usual Christmas Day and Boxing Day break, followed by several days of upgrades on the main line including at Dolphin Junction near Slough.
The Reading-Waterloo line will be running from Sunday 27 December but will be busy on Monday 28 December, again due to a Twickenham fixture.
Delays caused by planned engineering works are inconvenient, but it's a huge challenge to maintain more than 20,000 miles of track across the country - not to mention thousands of bridges, level crossings, power supplies and more.
 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.
Earley
Road closure - A4 London Road
Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 November (7pm to 6am)
The road will be closed between Suttons Seeds roundabout and Shepherds Hill roundabout for resurfacing as part of our annual maintenance programme.
Temporary lights - Wilderness Road
Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 November
There'll be two-way lights between Beech Lane and Hartsbourne Road while Thames Water replace a water service pipe.
Winnersh
Temporary lights - Reading Road
Monday 9 to Thursday 19 November (8pm to 6am)
There'll be overnight multi-way lights between Woodward Close and Green Lane while National Highways carry out structural survey works
Wokingham
Road closure - Shute End
Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 November (7pm to 6am)
There'll be overnight road closures between Rectory Road and Station Road while we resurface the road as part of our annual maintenance programme.
Temporary lights - Molly Millars Lane
Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 November (7pm to 5am)
There'll be overnight multi-way lights at the junction with Molly Millars Close while Virgin Media install a telecoms duct.
Woodley
Road closure - Headley Road East
Monday 9 to Thursday 12 November
The western arm from Spitfire Way onto Headley Road will be closed while Thames Water install a new air valve and chamber.
Keeping up to date
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