The contractors creating the new Shinfield Relief Road have announced that the major new route through the village will not fully open until next year. And, as they prepare for the big opening date, there will be road closures in force around the junction.
It had been due to open in the summer, but work has been delayed after builders Hochtief temporarily had their licence revoked by Wokingham Borough Council over safety concerns back in September.
However, work is now back on and Hochtief said that the first closures will take place from next Monday over the course of the week.
The closures are, Hochtief say, vital to help protect both the workforce and the travelling public and the dates are subject to weather conditions.
There will be three phases to the closures and all are planned to take place overnight.
Phase One – Black Boy Roundabout
A small section of south side will be shut from Monday, November 21 to Friday, November 25, from 9pm to 6am daily.
It will be closed for loop cutting to enable signal the signals, final surfacing and road markings.
Westbound traffic will be diverted via Lane End Farm gyratory system and eastbound traffic will remain unaffected.
Phase Two – A327 Arborfield Road Roundabout FULL ROAD CLOSURE
From Monday, November 28 until Saturday, December 3, from 9pm to 6am daily.
There will be a full road closure in place during the above times and all traffic will be diverted.
This is to allow Hochtief to complete extensive final surfacing and road markings.
And we’re open… almost
The Shinfield Eastern Relief Road (SERR) is currently planned to open on Thursday, December 8, subject to the completion of supporting works and weather conditions.
Once opened, Hochtief will need to install temporary narrow lanes and a 30mph speed limit on the SERR next to the new Cutbush Lane (East) junction.
This is to allow the erection of an acoustic barrier and install curbing and ducting, which cannot be completed until the Cutbush Lane junction has been permanently altered.
The plan for the fence has changed after Wokingham Borough Council agreed to Hochtief’s request to alter the original proposal, made at a planning meeting held earlier in the year.
Phase Three – Shinfield Road from Brookers Hill to Black Boy
After a break for the festive period, there will be one final road closure in place from Wednesday, January 25 until Saturday, January 28. Again, the road will be closed from 9pm until 6am nightly.
This will be a full road closure in place northbound to complete the traffic signal loops, final surfacing and road markings on the A327.
All Northbound through-traffic will be diverted via the new relief road.
The southbound carriageway will be closed for loop cutting for one night only and access into Shinfield for this night will be signed via the new relief road.
Buses will still be able to operate during the overnight closures, visit Reading Buses for any revised timetables.
