A ROUNDABOUT on a key approach into Wokingham is set to be improved with a more attractive and convenient design for walking and cycling, says Wokingham Borough Council.
Following an executive member decision on Monday, December 8, the council has agreed to upgrade the junction of Woosehill Spine Road and the A329 Reading Road.
Construction will be scheduled once design is complete, and will be planned to minimise disruption, but won’t happen while work on the South Wokingham Distributor Road is adding pressure on the network.
The overhaul includes new toucan crossings at Woosehill roundabout, which the council says will make it easier and safer for people walking, wheeling or cycling, to cross the road.
One will replace the uncontrolled crossing and traffic island on Reading Road to the east, and, subject to detailed design work, the other will cross the Woosehill Spine Road, to the south of the roundabout, with a central refuge.
These will be accompanied by a section of two-way segregated cycleway and shared path along the northern side of Reading Road, linking in with the existing cycle lane.
The scheme is part of a wider plan for an active travel route between Sadlers Lane, and Broad Street in Wokingham town centre.
The council says it has consulted extensively, and intends to build in stages, as funding becomes available.
Design work was funded by Active Travel England – as are the Woosehill roundabout works, along with funding from Wokingham Town Council and Safer Routes to School.
The full route will link to existing sustainable travel connections, including the cycleways and shared use routes along Reading Road and Winnersh Relief Road, as well as along the North Wokingham Distributor Road.
As soon as dates and further details are confirmed, they’ll be shared through the council’s Moving Around the Borough newsletter.
Cllr Adrian Betteridge, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “We’re pleased to be able to progress the first stage of this route, which supports our aim of making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more attractive.
“We’ve listened to people’s views, and improved the design to ensure it reflects people’s needs more closely, however they get around.
“We remain committed to making walking, cycling and wheeling safe and attractive.
“Residents tell us there’s a real need for better active travel provision on well-used routes, and we’re working towards improving as many as we can.
“The more we can achieve now, the more likely we are to secure funding for similar projects in future.”
The council’s long-term vision is set out in its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.
These changes will follow work on an active travel route between Woodley and Palmer Park in Reading, also funded by government grants.
Construction of this is due to start in early 2026.
Wokingham Borough Council says that as well as improving people’s health and reducing air pollution, active travel lowers carbon emissions, reduces congestion on our busy roads and is a key part of the council’s climate emergency response.
The full active travel route will span a 1.6 mile (2.5km) stretch of the A329 Reading Road, with the Woosehill stage covering a 270m section between Emmbrook Road and Mill Close.
Following feedback from the consultation, proposed kerb build-outs on Woosehill roundabout’s Reading Road arms have been removed to make more space for traffic.
“Keep clear” markings are now proposed for the Mill Close and Rotherfield Avenue junctions, while a proposed cycle track by Rotherfield Avenue will be shared with pedestrians.
The cycle track past the shops on Reading Road has also been realigned and a protective buffer separating the cycleway from the road has been extended.
The design principles for the wider route have also been revised, though other sections remain subject to the availability of further funding at this stage.
For information, visit: wokingham.gov.uk
