PLANS have been announced to close the A327 in Shinfield for three weeks this summer.
The closure will enable flood relief measures to be installed under the Arborfield Road between the Magpie and Parrot Pub and the River Loddon Bridge and has been ordered by the University of Reading.
Contractors Hochtief (UK) Construction say the closure enables the work to be completed in three weeks rather than six months. The company will be installing three large flood relief culverts – structures that allow water to flow under a road.
A spokesperson said: “A section of the A327 between Shinfield and Arborfield will be closed to through-traffic for the entire three-week period, to carry out the work in the safest, overall least disruptive and most efficient way possible.
“This road closure has been approved by the local authority and avoids 20-24 weeks (five-six months) of working under single lane traffic lights.”
During the works diversions will be in place – see the map above and, for detailed routes, below.
The work will start on Monday, August 3, and should be completed by the August bank holiday.
Residents living on the A327 will be able to maintain access at all times, and pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use a temporary crossing.
The Diversions
Westbound traffic
At Arborfield Cross take the B3030 (Sindlesham Road, Mole Road, King Street) to Winnersh; Turn left onto the A329 (Reading Road) and then left onto the B3270 (Lower Earley Way North, Lower Earley Way); Continue along the B3270 to Black Boy roundabout and then join the A327 to Shinfield
Eastbound traffic
From Black Boy roundabout take the B3270 (Lower Earley Way, Lower Earley Way North); At Winnersh turn right onto the A329 (Reading Road) and then right onto the B3030 (King Street, Mole Road, Sindlesham Road) to Arborfield Cross.