02.08.19
£24m approved to tackle rush hour traffic in Wokingham
Road users in Wokingham are to benefit from a £24m investment to reduce congestion, boost employment and create opportunities for greener forms of travel.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere has announced funding for a new 2.3 km Arborfield Cross Relief Road, to link the A327 Reading Road to the A327 Eversley Road, providing traffic relief for the local community.
The new development will also benefit cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, with the creation of a shared use pathway alongside the route which will be designed to encourage the use of greener modes of transport.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “Roads are part of the fabric of everyday life – stimulating local economies and helping bring communities together. This vital £24m scheme will provide a new route for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians, helping reduce traffic through local routes and making towns a nicer place to live.”
The scheme will divert traffic away from busier routes, ensuring that the local villages of Arborfield and Arborfield Cross are not bombarded by traffic, making the scheme a vital addition to local infrastructure.
Leader of Wokingham Borough Council John Halsall said: “This is exceptional news for the borough, as reducing congestion is a principal objective for us at Wokingham and we welcome this funding to assist in the delivery of the identified infrastructure.”
The plans are set to unlock major housing developments and drive economic growth, enabling 3,500 homes to be built at Arborfield Garrison. The new route will also benefit keen cyclists in Wokingham, who will receive greater access to the areas around Berkshire through the inclusion of a three-metre-wide pathway alongside the eastern side of the proposed carriageway.