Wokingham Borough Council is working on phase 2 of its greenways project. The greenways project, which is part of a wider investment in green infrastructure across the borough, will create a network of traffic free multi-user routes which will connect the new major developments at Arborfield Garrison (Arborfield Green) and Shinfield Parish to Wokingham town and the new major developments in North and South Wokingham.
The council is investing over £170million (including land values) in green infrastructure, which is a network of integrated spaces and features such as parks, open spaces, allotments, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), playing fields and greenways. Other projects include improvements at Dinton Pastures and California Country Parks, Elms Field, Cantley Park, the Ryeish Green sports hub and more.
These improvements are funded primarily by developers’ contributions, as part of the major new developments at Arborfield, Shinfield and North and South Wokingham.
The greenways will add to the borough’s existing network of footpaths to create a sustainable alternative way to get around the borough. Phase 1 called California Way, which links Arborfield Green with the FBC Centre via California Country Park, has already been built.
Wokingham Borough Council is now seeking views on the first section of phase 2 which will link Arborfield Green to the new development at North Wokingham via Cole Lane, Coombes Lane, Foxhill, Woosehill and Cantley Park. The first section creates a new greenway route through Cantley Park and Matthewsgreen, and links to Woosehill. The route for this sustainable link is largely fixed but the council is asking for comments to help shape final decisions on the route and detailed design.
The feedback from this will help the council refine the final plans.
Due to the Covid pandemic, no public information sessions are planned. Instead, the council is asking residents to submit any comments or suggestions regarding this section of the route by 31 August 2020 by emailing greenways@wokingham.gov.uk.
Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure said: “The greenways project is a great benefit to our residents. We will have a network criss-crossing the borough of walking and cycling paths to give our residents an alternative to their cars. Not only will this help cut down on congestion, but it will also improve our air quality and the health of our residents.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has really shown us how important our health and wellbeing is. The greenways network will be such an asset to our communities once it is built – we will all be able to commute to work or school, get to the shops, and go enjoy our beautiful countryside, all without the need to our cars.”
More information is available on the council's consultation webpage or by telephone on (0118) 974 6000 or by emailing greenways@wokingham.gov.uk.
