Wokingham Borough Connect
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Our team were delighted to have the opportunity to meet over 200 residents and local business owners during our public forum in December, during which we were able to answer questions about the construction and diversion plans.
We answered lots of questions and took on board comments including suggestions about traffic management plans for the project. We also have been working with businesses and residents to minimise the disruption during the works.
Residents on White Horse Lane and Warren Lane were concerned about people using the roads as an unofficial diversion and supported the closure of one end of each road during the works to prevent this.
Residents were also worried about traffic and speeding down Kiln Ride and Windsor Ride, so during the works we’ll be narrowing the junctions and putting additional diversion signs in these areas.
If you were unable to attend, or would like more information about the project, see further on in this newsletter and on our website.
 During the roadworks
The road works will be taking place in three phases:
Phase one (February to May) - Finchampstead Road will be closed from the Ratepayers Hall to the crossroads and Nine Mile Ride will be closed from just past Gorse Ride to the crossroads.
Phase two (May to July) - Finchampstead Road will be closed from Wild Acres Rest Home to the crossroads and Nine Mile Ride will be closed from the junction of Wick Hill Lane to the crossroads.
Phase three (July to September) - Traffic lights will be in place around the crossroads.
Access will be maintained to properties along these roads within the closure. We are also working closely with local businesses and schools to keep them updated about their access.
Bus diversions will be in place. You can see the latest on the Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses service update pages.
Latest updates
For the latest updates, please visit the California Cross project page on our website.
 Aerial view of part of the Arborfield Green development
Summary of the project and background
For those of you less familiar with the project, we’ll explain it to you here and give you some of the background. There is also more information on our website.
How the project came about
When we agreed plans for the new development in Arborfield, the developers had to agree to pay a sum of money to adapt the local infrastructure because of the increase of people in the area.
California Cross is one of several projects funded through the developer contributions for the Arborfield area. Others include the Nine Mile Ride Extension, Observer Way, a new primary and secondary school and Barkham Bridge.
What the money can and can't be spent on
Developer contributions can only be spent on infrastructure and not the ongoing cost of services that residents use every day, including social care, highways maintenance, waste collections and more.
Why California Cross
Developer contributions must be spent on areas directly impacted by new developments.
California Cross is a key area in Finchampstead with shops, schools, dental surgery, post office, community facilities and places to eat that are likely to get busier due to the Arborfield major development.
We want to make it easier for pedestrians to move about in the area, improve the road structure, and refresh it as it’s looking a little tired.
 Tap the image to see the full plans
Working together on a design
The work to improve California Cross began in 2015, after it was identified in planning applications, with a working group that included local business owners, Finchampstead Parish Council and borough councillors. They found that the village centre was becoming dominated by vehicles and that the area would benefit from enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists.
With this in mind, we built upon the work undertaken as part of the planning applications, and looked at different schemes across the country that could work at California Cross and presented an early version to the working group and local residents.
Following this, we committed to develop California Cross into an area which benefits local business owners and residents by creating a place where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicle traffic can co-exist.
The team shared the designs with the steering group, emergency services, local businesses owners, CLASP, Guide Dogs for the Blind, local walking and cycling groups, horse riders, bus services, schools, and local health services.
The feedback was positive and supported the focus on improving the area for pedestrians, but also asked that users of mobility scooters, pushchairs and horse riders be considered in the final designs.
Public consultation
Members of the public and interested parties were invited to feedback on plans in late December 2018. The consultation was widely promoted, including 6,000 flyers delivered directly to addresses in the area.
The flyers provided a link and information on how to respond to the consultation and an invitation to drop-in events to learn more about the plans. Around 300 people attended the drop-in events and 267 took part in the consultation.
Listening to feedback
At different stages throughout the consultation, feedback was given and the project was amended.
One of the main changes was the parking in front of the shops. Initially the plans were to move the parking outside the shops forward, so that cars would pull in and out of spaces directly onto the road. This was not favoured, so a design similar to what currently exists was adopted, with more protection for pedestrians
 What the project includes
The project has four main areas –
- Improving the roads
- Improving pedestrian access
- Improving access around the parade of shops
- Rejuvenating a tired looking space
Improving the roads
We will be rebuilding the junction from underground up – this isn’t just a surface replacement. This will bring improve the underground structure so the road is more resilient to increased traffic and improve the drainage around the junction.
Improving pedestrian access
We’re increasing the number of crossing points to allow more direct routes for pedestrians with nine in total around the junction.
- A raised crossing will go across the centre of the current junction, with a refuge in the centre of the junction.
- The four roads leading to the junction will each have two crossings – one on the opening to the junction which will be angled to go along with the road and one each slightly further down which will be straight across, which will be particularly helpful for the visually impaired.
The junction design encourages drivers to be more aware of pedestrians, with raised areas at the edge and centre which will slow drivers down, typically to speeds below 20mph and makes drivers more likely to give way.
Contrasting design in crossing areas and removal of traditional road markings and signs make drivers more aware of pedestrians and encourage them to give way at crossings.
Improving access around the parade of shops
We know that the space outside of the shops could do with better pedestrian access and an improved layout for parking.
The new layout will switch the entrance and exit round, so that if you can’t park in front of the shops, it will be easier to head straight into the car park.
Directly in front of the shops, there will be an area where pedestrians will have priority over vehicles, meaning they can walk more confidently to and between the shops.
We’ll also be making a clearer distinction around the petrol station to give pedestrians priority over vehicles.
Rejuvenation
The area, with its shops and facilities, is the centre of Finchampstead village, and deserves some improvements. The project team has been working with Gorse Ride School to create new totems to be installed on the approach, announcing the village centre.
Some vegetation will be cut back to increase visibility, and new planting at ground level and hanging baskets will be put in.
To echo the natural surroundings, on entering the centre there’ll be leaf patterns printed on the carriageway and crossings, an attractive way of marking out the shared spaces rather than traditional white lining and markings.
We’ll also be putting in new benches, as well as new lamp posts and bollards designed with Nine Mile Ride School.
 During the works
Sadly, all road works bring with them some disruption to the roads which we understand will be frustrating for people. We are sorry, but we hope you’ll agree with us that in the end the temporary disruption was worth the improvements to the heart of the village
Traffic impacts
Warren Lane and White Horse Lane will be closed at one end to traffic to stop people using them as cut throughs.
Windsor Drive and Kiln Ride will have their junctions temporarily narrowed with traffic management and additional signs to remind users to follow the diversion route and not their sat navs. We’ll monitor throughout the project and will add additional measures if needed.
Thames Valley Buses proposed their diversion, via Kiln Ride, Foxcote and Windsor Ride, which we agreed to, and it is a diversion they used without reporting issues during a previous closure. They will also be including a self-managed 20mph restriction around the Windsor Ride and Foxcote diversion.
Access to business and facilities
Local businesses, facilities and schools will be open as usual, however you might need to take a slightly different route to get to them during the planned construction phases.
We would encourage you to continue to support your local shops and businesses through the works
 After the works are complete
After the works are complete, there will be a three year restriction on planned streetworks, meaning that unless there are emergency works needed the road will be protected during this time.
During the works, new drainage infrastructure will be laid and the existing drainage network will be reviewed and surveyed and any remedial work will be completed at this time.
Collaborative working will mean that Virgin Media and BT will be carrying out works at the junction to their assets, so it is hoped the area should be free from disruption for the foreseeable future.
A plan is being created that will outline future maintenance work at the junction to keep it in a good state of repair and replacement materials kept locally so can be replaced quickly if needed.
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