Wokingham

Concentrated working practices by South East Water at the request of Wokingham District Council are set to result in the first phase of the work on the A321 Finchampstead Road in Wokingham completed ahead of schedule.

The water company is currently carrying out vital long-term Wokingham road works to replace three old water mains - which are increasingly prone to leaks and bursts - with a single new, plastic mains. The first phase of the work saw the closure of the Finchampstead Road between the Landen Court (Tesco) roundabout and Molly Millars Lane. This phase was set to last until March 19 but, due to evening and Saturday working requested by the council, the water company is now ready to start the second phase of the work ahead of time on Wednesday March 15.

The Wokingham council and highways’ maintenance contractor RCS have also pulled out all the stops, having completed resurfacing on this stretch of the road on Saturday March 11 and lining work today (March 13).

Executive member for highways and transport Wokingham Cllr Anthony Pollock said: “The council was told in no uncertain terms that this work needed to be carried out. We’ve worked hard to try and minimise disruption wherever possible and I’m pleased to see that this approach is set to result in the first phase being completed ahead of the planned timescale.

“The council itself is doing what it can to make the process easier by coordinating its resurfacing works and completed this first stage by today.”

The second phase of the work is now set to begin at 9am on Wednesday March 15 and will see the second road diversion put into operation. This involves the closure of the A321 Finchampstead Road between Molly Millars Lane and the A321 Sandhurst Lane. The official diversion route is as follows:

For Wokingham bound traffic - A321 Sandhurst Road, B3430 Nine Mile Ride, A3095 Crowthorne Road, A3095 Mill Lane, A329 Berkshire Way, A329 London Road, Peach Street, Market Place and Denmark Street.

For Finchampstead bound traffic - Wellington Road, Station Road, A329 Shute End, Rectory Road, Wiltshire Road, A329 London Road, A329 Berkshire Way, A3095 Mill Lane, A3095 Crowthorne Road, B3430 Nine Mile Ride and A321 Sandhurst Road.

Local businesses will remain open as usual. Access for emergency vehicles, residents and pedestrians will be maintained throughout the closure.

Wokingham District Council