THE next phase of Wokingham town centre’s regeneration starts tomorrow and will see Peach Street become one lane for the next 15 weeks.
To prepare for the works, Peach Street will be closed overight from 10pm tonight (Sunday, February 26) until 6am tomorrow morning.
The closure is to allow for the safe demolition of the 1960s block that runs from what was Clintons through to the former JAC Charity Shop, next to – but not including – The Redan pub.
Tonight, contractors Dawnus will put safety barriers in place and during the overnight closure – from the junction with Easthampstead Road to Market Place – a diversion will be in place.
There are also roadworks taking place at the level crossing on Easthampstead Road, so the diversion is slightly complicated for the westbound routes, but eastbound traffic will be unaffected by this closure.
Wokingham Borough Council said that the diversion is via Easthampstead Road, Waterloo Road, Old Wokingham Road, Easthampstead Road, Heathlands Road, Nine Mile Ride, Sandhurst Road, Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane, Barkham Road, Station Approach, Reading Road and Shute End.
The 15-week closure is to help create Peach Place, which will include an array of shops and houses as well as the new public square, which is hoped to be used for a range of leisure activities and events.
Although the Peach Street lane closures start tomorrow, the preparation work to start the demolision of the buildings mean that it will be a while before the first buildings are knocked down.
Keep calm and shop on
In January, Cllr Mark Ashwell, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and regeneration, said: “The message to shoppers planning to come to the town’s great shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs is – don’t panic, Wokingham is open for business and is still a great place to visit.
“We’ve got 1,600 town centre parking spaces within close walking distance of Market Place, we’ve got 65 independent shops, 30 bars and restaurants, four markets a week and a farmers’ market every month.
“We will also be making sure any roadworks are clearly communicated so people know what to expect when they make their way into and out of town.”
