Wokingham Borough Council is aiming to improve the borough’s routes to make walking and cycling the natural choice for local journeys – and parts of longer ones where possible.
Increasing cycling and walking can help tackle some of society’s most challenging issues – improving air quality, combating climate change, improving people’s health and wellbeing, addressing inequality and tackling congestion on roads.
With the increasing cost of fuel, walking and cycling is likely to become a more attractive option so the Council wants to make sure it is providing facilities that are safe, comfortable and inclusive for everyone.
Funding from Department for Transport
As part of the Government’s Active Travel Fund tranches 2 and 3, the Council has secured funding to improve the cycling and walking connection between Woodley town centre and the Reading borough boundary at Palmer Park.
This is one of the key routes which have been identified in its emerging Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, a borough-wide strategic document.
This will be funded by the Department for Transport via Active Travel England.
Woodley to Reading link
The link between Woodley and Reading will create a safe, inclusive and direct access to Woodley town centre while connecting it to several schools and leisure facilities.
This will be completed in phases, connecting the precinct to Palmer Park via Woodlands Avenue, Church Road, Palmerstone Road and Culver Lane.
Wokingham Borough Council is planning for work to start at Palmer Park and progress towards Woodley. Take a look at the detailed plans and a summary of the route.
The Council is still finalising parts of the plans with Reading Borough Council, as the route connects into its area, and will update once these details are confirmed.
The Council has consulted residents several times and removed less popular aspects of the original proposals, like making part of Woodlands Avenue one-way.
Changes for the final designs include:
- Widening the road on Woodlands Avenue, between Howth Drive and Crockhamwell Road, to 5.5m
- Keeping the Woodlands Avenue laybys next to the park and green space
- The shared use path on Woodlands Avenue, between the leisure centre and Church Road, will not change as residents told us it works well
- Shared use under the railway bridge to Palmer Park entrance on Culver Lane
You can read more about it on the Council’s Engage Platform.