Details have been revealed about road closures that look set to cause significant disruption for drivers in Wokingham until March 2026.
As part of the south Wokingham distributor road project, Wokingham Borough Council has confirmed its plans to improve the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane.
The main change will be to replace the existing mini roundabout with a full-size roundabout to increase traffic capacity at the junction.
It also plans to make the area more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists by adding wider shared footways and cycleways, and improving the crossings. This includes a new toucan crossing which pedestrians and cyclists can use at the same time.
The scheme, known as Western Gateway, will involve road closures and diversions. All businesses, including the Tesco superstore off Finchampstead Road, will be open as usual, with some diversions for access while it’s being built.
From early April until late July 2025, some road closures are possible.
The council noted: “You won’t see much impact to start with, as this phase of works will mostly take place on land behind the blue hoardings, which the roundabout will expand onto.
“Our partners at Balfour Beatty will be building the off-road parts of the new roundabout and diverting utility pipes and cables.
“This will not disrupt any utility supply to residents or businesses.
“All roads will generally be open as usual, with the chance of overnight or weekend closures on Molly Millars Lane or Finchampstead Road, south of the junction.”
It added there may be full closures over the weekends of 10/11 May and 17/18 May, though this hasn’t been finalised.
From the end of July until early September 2025, Molly Millars Lane will be closed at the eastern end, with a diversion in place, for work on the new roundabout. Traffic will flow northbound and southbound on Finchampstead Road as usual. Pedestrian access will remain, with some footpath diversions.
From early September until the end of 2025 or early 2026, Finchampstead Road will be closed to the north of the junction, with a diversion in place, for work on the new roundabout. Traffic will flow as usual between Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road south of the junction. Pedestrian access will remain, with some footpath diversions.
From the end of 2025 or early 2026, until March 2026, Finchampstead Road will be closed at the southern exit of the junction, with a diversion in place, for work on the new roundabout. Traffic will flow as usual between Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road north of the junction. Pedestrian access will remain, with some footpath diversions.
At some point during this period, traffic will begin to use the new roundabout while the islands are completed, but Finchampstead Road will remain closed to the south.
In March 2026 for about one week, there will be about one final week of overnight closures for final surfacing and road markings.
When Molly Millars Lane is closeds, cars and most other traffic will be redirected via:
Eastbound – Barkham Road (B3349), Station Approach, Reading Road (A329), Station Road (A321), Wellington Road (A321) and Finchampstead Road (A321)
Westbound – Finchampstead Road (A321), Wellington Road (A321), Station Approach, Reading Road (A329), Station Road (A321) and Barkham Road (B3349)
HGVs will be diverted along Barkham Road (B3349), Langley Common Road (B3349), Eversley Road (A327), Nine Mile Ride Extension, Nine Mile Ride and Finchampstead Road (B3016 and A321), or in reverse.
When Finchampstead Road is closed, all vehicles will be redirected via:
Northbound – Finchampstead Road (B3016), Nine Mile Ride, Nine Mile Ride Extension, Eversley Road (A327), Langley Common Road (B3349), Barkham Road (B3349), Station Approach, Reading Road (A329), Station Road (A321) and Wellington Road (A321)
Southbound – Wellington Road (A321), Station Approach, Reading Road (A329), Station Road (A321), Barkham Road (B3349), Langley Common Road (B3349), Eversley Road (A327), Nine Mile Ride Extension, Nine Mile Ride and Finchampstead Road (B3016).
For more information about roadworks in the borough, visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/roads/roadworks.
