Anyone visiting the town cannot fail to have seen the work that is now well underway to provide a much needed refurbishment to our Market Place.
This month has seen the setup of what is a very complex site and the excavation work to expose services for utilities diversions. Whilst disruptive this will future proof the Market Place and minimise the possibility of highways work in the coming years.
Road closures
Next month (September) will see the completion of excavations along Denmark Street with the installation of new utilities followed by the temporary backfilling with tarmac across whole area. Denmark Street will reopen week commencing 18 September and the focus of work will move over to the Broad Street side of Market Place outside Boots and Clarks and down onto the main market area. The utility work in this area will then be undertaken and will immediately be followed by the construction work to lay the new York Stone surfacing. This will take approximately 12 weeks (until early December) and so access through to Broad Street itself will be closed (Reading-bound) with all traffic routed down Denmark Street.
During this time, Bracknell-bound bus services will still stop in Broad Street and continue their route via Rose Street as normal. A temporary stop will be in place in Denmark Street for Reading-bound services.
Langborough Road, from Denmark Street through to its junction with Howard Road/Fairview Road will also be closed to eastbound traffic: the road will become one-way. This is to ensure that traffic will be able to safely move through Denmark Street. It will also help minimise delays on the major A329 route.
Advanced warning signs are now in place letting people know about the current and forthcoming road closures and diversions routes will be in place throughout the works.
You may be interested to know
- The memorial bench has been safely moved to Howard Palmer Gardens. It will eventually be located in the main walkway of the park at Elms Field. The Rotary Club, who originally donated the bench, have agreed to this temporary and final location
- The blocks that are being lifted will all be recycled; some will be stored for on-going maintenance in other areas of the town and borough and the rest will be crushed and used as hard-core on other projects. The earth that is being excavated will be washed and again recycled and used on other projects. None will go to landfill
Open for Business
In the last few weeks the retailers have been recording videos to promote their own businesses and the message that the town is ‘Open for Business’. These are all posted on Wokingham Town Talk Facebook page. Please support your town businesses by liking the posts and sharing with your local contacts.
The market has moved to its temporary home near Argos/Brown Bag. The resident businesses have welcomed the traders with The Gig House offering practical support with storage and electricity supply; and landlords Axa and Aviva have allowed use of this area for the market. Please spread the word and share messages that the market has a new home while the Market Place is under way.
Wokingham Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Lucey, said: ‘I am delighted that the work has started on the much-needed renewal of Wokingham Market Place. I understand the many challenges to businesses, residents and visitors during this important work and I thank all those affected. But I am sure that, working together through these upheavals, we will all be able to enjoy and appreciated a lovely, renewed Market Place”
Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for highways and transport Cllr Chris Bowring said: “This is a complex project but one that will bring benefits to Wokingham. We are doing our utmost to keep disruption to a minimum and both councils greatly appreciate your patience. The town remains very much open for business. I’d like to thank you for continuing to support local traders and businesses during this time.”
More information
You can find out more about the project including the latest newsletter on the Market Place improvement project webpage.
