Wokingham

A major improvement scheme to tackle congestion around junction 11 of the M4 is due to be discussed by Wokingham Borough Council’s executive committee on Thursday January 31, heralding a further step forward for the Reading Borough Council led project.

The Wokingham council’s decision-making executive will be looking at a report on the project next week. If the report is approved it will ensure work is able to start as soon as possible, if funding for the multi-million pound improvement scheme is released to Reading Borough Council by the Department for Transport (DfT) and a contractor is appointed.

In January 2007 the DfT granted conditional approval for an improvement scheme at the busy motorway junction and the adjoining A33 Mereoak intersection in Shinfield.

The DfT’s funding is set at a maximum £62.61million. Reading Borough Council, which has been working with Wokingham Borough Council on the project, is to make an application for full funding in February 2008, with a final decision to be made by government ministers in March 2008.

At its meeting next week Wokingham Borough Council’s executive will be considering the report which includes:

· Wokingham Borough Council’s roles and responsibilities throughout the construction work
· Approving a communications strategy on the project with key stakeholders including residents, commuters and businesses
· Endorsing Reading Borough Council’s authority to grant a contract for the improvement works at its cabinet meeting in March subject to DfT ministers’ full approval
· Allowing certain orders to go ahead, including permanent and temporary speed reductions on roads, so that work can be carried out as safely as possible and will complement the new layout.

The improvement scheme has been a long-running project that both Wokingham and Reading Borough Councils have been committed to, in a bid to tackle the congestion that blights motorists on a daily basis at both the M4 Junction 11 roundabout and adjoining A33, which runs through Shinfield.

The proposed Junction 11 improvement scheme includes the construction of a new junction around the existing one and the conversion of the existing motorway bridges to priority routes for public transport, cycles and pedestrians.

The Mereoak section includes replacing the existing roundabout with a signalised t-junction and a new signalised t- junction approximately 600 metres to the south. This will provide a safer, controlled access for drivers joining or leaving the A33 for Three Mile Cross or Grazeley.

Cllr Keith Baker, executive member for Wokingham highways and transport, said: “This improvement scheme is huge and is very important in ensuring that congestion clogging up some of the borough’s key commuter routes is tackled.

“If the scheme receives full approval from the Department for Transport it will signal a huge step forward for this project, which is why we want to be prepared now, so that work can start as soon as possible.

“The planned improvement scheme, which will take two years to complete, will make the M4 Junction 11 and surrounding A33 much safer for everyone using it, as well as increasing public transport routes and pedestrian walkways, while cutting congestion.”

Wokingham Borough Council