Footpaths and routes have been closed for the construction of a major new road in Wokingham.
Construction is taking place on the South Wokingham Distributor Road, which connects William Heelas Way and Waterloo Road in the east with Finchampstead Road near the Tesco Superstore to the west.
The road is being established to the south of the town, and will serve approximately 1,500 homes that will be built.
The project to build the road has been commissioned by Wokingham Borough Council after plans were approved in 2021.
For safety reasons, three footpaths running through the area, including Emm Brook footbridge, were closed in the Spring.
Additionally, the Ludgrove Track, which provides private access to Ludgrove School, was closed in the summer, with vehicle access only being provided from Heathlands Road.
The footpath from Gispy Lane that incorporates the Emm Brook will reopen in February, or earlier if it is safe to do so.
Then, in May, the footpath from Gispy Lane to the Ludgrove Track will reopen.
After that, the footpath from Finchampstead Road to the Ludgrove Track will reopen in July.
As well as the footpaths, roads will also be closed at intervals until April 2026.
Closures have already affected the junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane for the creation of the ‘Western Gateway’, which involves improvements to two existing roundabouts.
Early next year, the stretch south of the Finchampstead Road junction will be closed and diverted for new roundabout works.
Through traffic will be given access between Molly Millars Lane and Finchampstead Road north of the junction only, with pedestrian and footpath diversions being imposed.
This work is expected to be completed by March 2026, allowing Finchampstead Road to be reopened.
Final surfacing and road markings would need to take place, which could require about a week of overnight closures.
Homes have been demolished along the western section of the route.
The addresses 81, 83 and 85 Finchampstead Road were all demolished so that enhancements to the roundabout junction of Finchampstead Road and Molly Millars Lane can be made.
Meanwhile, street view imagery from September 2024 shows 76A and 76B Finchampstead Road closed off for demolition works.
The council spent an estimated £1.75 million to buy 76A, 76B and 81 Finchampstead Road in 2021.
The beginning of construction for the South Wokingham Distributor Road was listed as a ‘top win’ in a report on the council’s achievements during Quarter 1 of 2025/26.
This report was delivered to the council’s overview and scrutiny commission on Tuesday, October 21.
