Wokingham

Wokingham Drivers are being asked for their support in the coming months as South East Water and Wokingham District Council make every effort to reduce the disruption caused by vital long-term roadworks by the water company.

“We’re doing the best we can to keep disruption to a minimum by working closely with the water company, but we’re aware that there are going to be difficult times ahead for drivers in the district,” said Wokingham District Council’s executive member for highways and transport Cllr Anthony Pollock.

South East Water has to carry out much-needed remedial work to a water main under the A321 Finchampstead Road. It is vital that the work is carried out in order to prevent burst pipes and water leaks causing major disruption to road users and inconvenience to Wokingham residents. The work is set to begin on February 27 and will continue through to the end of June. Much work will be carried out over the school break at Easter, when traffic flow is lower, but not all of it can be done during holidays, so the water company has agreed to Wokingham council’s request that evening and Saturday work is carried out where appropriate. Additionally, owing to the immediate nature of the work required, it cannot be postponed until the summer holidays.

“Water companies have the legal right to dig up the roads to make necessary repairs to their pipe networks, and the council does the best it can to manage working times and practices. The district council does not have the legal powers to prevent them from working on the highway and, when the work is this urgent, nor would we want to,” said Wokingham Cllr Pollock.

“We are keen, however, to minimise disruption and to this end, we’ve worked with South East Water to manage how the works will be carried out. Evening and Saturday working has been agreed in order to complete the work in as short a time as possible.”

In order to give people information about the work, the water company will write to Wokingham residents and properties in the immediate area. Additionally, the road will be clearly signed by the water company with contact details for more information both in advance of the start date and whilst work is taking place. Further information can be obtained by calling a freephone information hotline on 0800 923 0352 or by logging onto www.southeastwater.co.uk/A321

The council will work in parallel with South East Water to resurface the road and improve highway drainage (within the 16 week timescale if possible), so that a separate period of disruption is avoided.

Different sections of the A321 Finchampstead Road between Tesco and Evendons Lane will be closed during the 16-week period of work from the February 27 to June 19. Diversion routes will be in place throughout.

Phase one of the works will require the closure of A321 Finchampstead Road between Landen Court (Tesco) Roundabout and Molly Millars Lane for three weeks (February 27 to March 19).
Phase two to phase four of the works will require the closure of A321 Finchampstead Road between Molly Millars Lane and Evendons Lane for 13 weeks (March 19 to June 18).

Wokingham District Council