Work will begin in the new year on a new walking and cycling route that will link Woodley town centre and Palmer Park, at the Reading Borough boundary.
Following public consultation, the scheme is expected to improve opportunities for healthier and more sustainable travel, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
The route will run along Woodlands Avenue, Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane, with some sections of segregated cycleway, and will join onward links into central Reading, including bus routes and cycle lanes.
Wokingham Borough Council says it will improve access to shops, Woodley library, Beechwood Primary School at Woodley precinct, Bulmershe School, Addington School and Bulmershe Leisure Centre.
The design includes additional pedestrian crossings, and new foot crossings at side roads.
Funded by Active Travel England, the scheme is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to improve walking and cycling links between communities.
It also supports the council’s climate emergency goals and its stated ambition for a fair, green, safe and connected borough for 2030.
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’d like to thank everyone whose feedback helped us improve the final design and we’re delighted to be ready to start work.
“We expect this will be a well-used route that will encourage residents of all ages to embrace the ease and convenience of walking, cycling and wheeling over other ways of travelling.
“This will reduce vehicle traffic at peak times, easing congestion on our roads for those who wish to drive.
“We want to make it safe and attractive for people to walk, wheel and cycle for local trips and we’ve set out a vision to achieve this through our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.
“While this scheme is being built, please be assured that we’ll communicate about the works as far ahead as we can and will do our utmost to keep disruption to a minimum.”
The speed limit is set to be reduced from 30mph to 20mph on some sections, including some traffic calming measures.
Residents were consulted on the new speed limit in the autumn and feedback is now being reviewed, with next steps to be announced very soon.
If agreed, the 20mph limit will apply on Woodlands Avenue, from the zebra crossing near the shops until just past Fairwater Drive.
It will also apply to all of Palmerstone Road, and on Culver Lane from the Reading borough boundary to just beyond Palmerstone Road.
The council’s partners at VolkerHighways will work on Woodlands Avenue in sections to build the route, starting at the eastern end of Woodlands Avenue and working towards Palmer Park.
Temporary traffic lights will be used, where necessary, road closures with diversions, and vehicle access to properties may be restricted at times – the construction team will keep residents informed.
Pedestrian access will generally be open, but may sometimes be restricted for safety reasons.
The Woodlands Avenue works should be finished by mid-August, however, the council says it could take longer if there are unforeseen circumstances.
Works begin on January 26, with the following dates and locations.
Monday, January 26: Lytham Road to Roslyn Road – diversion via Howth Drive, Beechwood Avenue, Lytham Road
Wednesday, March 11: Roslyn Road to Woodwaye – diversion via Howth Drive, Beechwood Avenue, Lytham Road
Tuesday, April 21: Woodwaye to Howth Drive – diversion via Howth Drive, Beechwood Avenue, Lytham Road
Saturday, May 23: Howth Drive to Fairwater Drive – diversion via Fairwater Drive, Nightingale Road, Crockhamwell Road (eastbound) or via Lytham Road, Beechwood Avenue (westbound)
Tuesday, June 16: Crockhamwell Road to Lytham Road – diversion via Fairwater Drive, Nightingale Road, Crockhamwell Road. Lytham Road access: via Crockhamwell Road, Loddon Bridge Road, Headley Road
Saturday, July 4: Town Street to Lytham Road – diversion via Crockhamwell Road, Loddon Bridge Road, Headley Road, Lytham Road
Wednesday, July 15: Fairwater Drive including Howth Drive to Bulmershe School entrance – diversion via Church Road, Pitts Lane, Reading Road, Howth Drive. For access to Woodlands Avenue: diversion via Crockhamwell Road, Nightingale Road
Further works on Church Road and Culver Lane will be starting over the summer, with dates and additional details to be confirmed nearer the time.
Further details, including maps with diversion routes and up-to-date schedules, are available on the project webpage at: wokingham.gov.uk/woodleyATR.
Residents and businesses can get the latest updates by subscribing to the council’s Moving Around the Borough newsletter at wokingham.gov.uk/newsletter.
