Major Traffic Disruption Set to Continue

Motorists in Wokingham, Barkham and Arborfield have been warned delays will continue for several more weeks as Thames Water carries out major infrastructure works.

Barkham Road has been closed since 14 September to install a new water main linked to housing development in Arborfield. The wider scheme is due to run until June 2027. Drivers have reported delays and diversions between Arborfield, Winnersh, Wokingham and Finchampstead, and a separate closure on Church Road has added pressure on local routes.

Wokingham Borough councillor Adrian Betteridge said the council explored alternatives with Thames Water but the work could not be carried out safely without closing Barkham Road. The project involves upgrading a water main dating from the 1930s that runs beneath the road.

"We know it's a very disruptive project," he told the LDRS. "We're very sorry for the inconvenience and delays people are experiencing and we are doing our utmost to make sure the alternative routes that exist are as good as they can be."

The current stage affects both a major north-south route and an important east-west connection. Thames Water now expects to complete this phase about a month earlier, and the closed section is expected to reopen in early November. Works will then move further south along Barkham Road and onto Langley Common Road.

Mr Betteridge thanked residents for their patience, saying traffic appeared to be settling as drivers adjusted and that the reopening should provide some relief.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter