A MAJOR operation to rebuild 24 of Wokingham’s roads and repair their potholes is set begin.
Full resurfacing has been announced for 24 roads across Wokingham Borough, including some major roads like the A33 and the A329M but also one very humble country lane.
Roads will be rebuilt from scratch everywhere from Finchampstead Village to central Wokingham and from the boundary with Bracknell to the boundary with Reading.
Some roads, like Barkham Road, might desperately need resurfacing, but won’t be treated this year, because a utility company is planning major works, like the installation of a gas main, or a new fibre-optic broadband during 2026.
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, the Cabinet Member for Active Transport and Highways said: “The programme focuses on the roads and paths most in need, based on analysis of condition from the council’s inspection programme which covers all roads and footpaths.
“It also takes into account the need to deconflict with other roadworks and, of course, the available budget.”
The resurfacing process chosen by Wokingham is called ‘plane and inlay’ treatment is designed to last for ten years.
During the process, a large machine with a rotating drum called a ‘cold planer’ removes the old, damaged surface area to a depth of 30-40cm.
Next, the planed surface and what’s left of the potholes are thoroughly cleaned to remove any remaining detritus.
Then the clean surface is sprayed with tar to glue the new road surface onto the existing structure.
Finally, the new road surface is laid at a high temperature using a paving machine and rolled to compact it making an even durable surface.
Amongst the smaller roads which have been earmarked for ‘plane inlay’ treatment is Longwater Lane in Finchampstead Village, possibly the most battered country lane in Berkshire which has potholes that are 40cm deep.
Longwater Lane is a historic road which once crossed the river Blackwater in a ford, connecting Finchampstead to Eversley.
The two dead-ends, of the road are separated by the picturesque ‘Fleet Copse’ and the through road has been replaced by the busy neighbouring ‘Longwater Road’ leaving the residents with just a few potholes and a lane which is seldom mended.
The full list of the roads set for a plane and inlay in 2026/27 is:
LONGWATER LANE – from the stop line at no. 3 to the dead end where the lane enters Fleet Copse;
READING ROAD – Simons Lane joint to Aspen Place joint;
RUSCOMBE LANE – at the junction with Stanlake Lane and New Rd only, between surfacing junctions 15m into each;
NEW ROAD – the whole road from Mole Road to Bearwood Road, including mini-roundabout and 15m into Mill Lane;
SAFFRON CLOSE – all, including the spur to Saffron Court;
SUTCLIFFE AVENUE – from Hillside Rd to Meadow Rd;
DUFFIELD ROAD – all from Pound Lane to Church Road;
MILTON ROAD – from A321 Glebelands Rd to A329 Rectory Rd, including mini-roundabout and 15m of A321 Milton Rd approach to mini-roundabout;
LONDON ROAD – Suttons Park Ave and Shepherds House Ln roundabout, including 15m in at all junctions except Suttons Pk Ave;
BEECH LANE – B3350 Wilderness Rd to Rushey Way;
A329M from the Thames Valley Park to Coppid Beech roundabout;
A33 (the Swallowfield Bypass) from Hampshire boundary to the Reading boundary;
HARTLEY COURT ROAD – East of Hartley Court Farm;
NEW WOKINGHAM ROAD – boundary with Bracknell Forest – no. 39 to Ellis Rd surfacing joint;
THE DRIVE – From 2025-26 London Rd service road joint at no. 6 to Culver Lane;
BAIRD ROAD – Princess Marina Dr to Sheerlands Rd, include 15m past Sheerlands and 15m into Sheerlands;
CAMELLIA WAY – from the number 59, Simons Lane surfacing joint to No 9 Camellia Way;
FOXCOTE – Nos 101-117;
LUCKLEY ROAD – from A321 Finchampstead Rd to immediately east of Network Rail bridge;
SEAFORD ROAD – A329 London Rd to adopted highway boundary at West End School;
BUDGES GARDENS – the whole road;
ELLIS ROAD – Lyon Road surfacing joint to the boundary with Crowthorne near Old Wokingham Rd;
SHUTE END – from Biscoe Way junction to the new surface on A329 at Rectory Road;
MAIDENHEAD ROAD – approx. 55 metres.
