Wokingham Borough Connect
 What's coming up
With about thirty per cent of the phase one drainage network left to dig, next week the team will focus on completing this, and installing the remaining new pipework and manholes. We will then move on to backfilling the trenches before resurfacing work begins.
 What's been happening so far
The team have now dug 112 metres of the new drainage network and installed three manholes along the way.
It may be difficult to see the progress that is being made on site when so much of the work is being carried out below ground level but good progress is being made. The team have dug down 1.8 metres along the 112 metre stretch and as we have previously advised, some of this has been dug by hand to avoid utility pipes and cables.
Preparation works have also been carried out along the footways this week. The team have been digging out the area where the new kerbs will be installed later in the programme.
 Update on SGN works in the area
New Wokingham Road, Wokingham
SGN works on New Wokingham Road continue with rolling temporary traffic lights in place between Nine Mile Ride and Oaklands Lane.
Finchampstead Road, Wokingham
SGN works to fix low gas pressure on Finchampstead Road have been completed, but works continue on the verge to resolve an additional gas leak issue. These works are expected to finish on 18 March.
Barkham Road, Barkham
SGN sewage connection works have been taking place on Barkham Road near Edney's Hill under temporary traffic lights and should be completed Monday 18 March. They are concreting today (15 March) which will take the weekend to dry and on Monday they will be laying tarmac.
 Support your local businesses
This week we're shining a spotlight on JATS Pharmacy and Chef Peking Finchampstead.
JATS Pharmacy has a professional and caring team to provide more than just medicine. They offer highly patient-focused services as well. Give them a ring if you need anything.
Chef Peking offers a wide range of cuisines, from Chinese to Malaysian and Thai, all freshly made by their experienced chef. They are open 7 days a week for dine-in and takeaway.
Please support these wonderful local businesses if you can, as well as all the others in the California Crossroads area.
Officers from the Economic Development team have been out to talk to the businesses to listen to their concerns and try to identify areas they can offer support.
 Background to the project
Did you know the outline planning application for the Arborfield Strategic Development Location included improvement works at California Cross?
Delivery of these improvement works were secured through planning consent and a section 106 legal agreement, dated 2 April 2015.
In early 2015, during a review of the planning application submission, the council set up a working group to help manage the California Crossroads improvement project. This included borough and parish councillors, local businesses, schools and council officers.
The Transport Assessment (TA) included a full review of the potential highway impacts associated with delivery of the Arborfield development. The application undertook assessments, including strategic transport modelling and local junction models based on live traffic survey data.
The scheme received consent in 2015 from the planning committee, as the assessment showed that identified works would help to mitigate the impact from the development. The mitigation package included the proposals at California Crossroads.
A concept plan, shown above, was created using the findings in the TA and from discussions with the working group in 2015.
Further information about the history of this project, including how it was funded can be found on our website.
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