If you live, drive through or shop in Wokingham town centre, 2007 is going to be a year of change with seven months of roadworks, closures and diversions. The town's underground network of cast iron gas pipes is being replaced which is expected to cause its fair amount disruption throughout the heart of Wokingham and beyond.
 | | Wokingham Town Hall |
During the work from Monday 5 February through to August, more than 850 metres of old piping will be replaced in with a modern polyethylene equivalent along Rectory Road, Denton Road, Broad Street, Market Place and Denmark Street. The work will run in four phases as follows: PHASE 1 Rectory Road and Denton Road Southern Gas say the work will start at the junction of Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road progressing Rectory Road. This phase of the work is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. Wiltshire Road will be closed from the junction of Rectory Road to Crutchley Road for two weeks whilst this work is carried out. Work will then continue along Rectory Road up to the junction with Broad Street for a further six weeks. PHASE 2 Broad Street From 2 April, work will get underway from Rectory Road, along Broad Street to Market Place for approximately eight weeks. During this period, part of Broad Street will be closed for two weeks for approximately two weeks from Rectory Road.
All traffic (including buses) from Shute Road will be diverted along Rectory Road. This also means there will be no right turn from Broad Street into Rectory Road, from the direction of Market Place. - Broad Street parking restrictions and bus services:
You won't able to use the parking bays along the west side of Broad Street during this time as they will be temporarily suspended. Temporary two way traffic lights will also in be in use along a stretch of Broad Street to Rose Street. Buses will be diverted down Rose Street whilst the gas main is laid from Rose Street to Market Place. Parking bays along Rectory Road will be temporarily suspended during this time. Work along Denton Road will be carried out independently from Rectory Road and will start in early March. PHASE 3 Market Place Work on this section will start on Tuesday 5 June and last for approximately five weeks. However, Southern Gas will suspend the work during the Wokingham May Fayre. PHASE 4 Denmark Street Work on phase 4 can only begin once work on phase 3 is completed. This is anticipated to start in early July and take approximately eight weeks. Further discussions will be taking place between Southern Gas and Wokingham District Council to manage traffic during this phase of the work. During the work, all shops and businesses will be open as usual during the work. Get the latest info on BBC Radio Berkshire BBC Radio Berkshire is the only station in the royal county to bring you Travel You Trust and our team we be keeping a close check on progress, as well as additional congestion expected as a knock on from the work. You can also help keep Berkshire moving by calling the Travel Centre team as and when you spot traffic jams on 08459 311 333. Travel you Trust only on BBC Radio Berkshire. | 
