School Run Chaos: Families Left in Tears

A Berkshire father says major roadworks are wreaking havoc on local families, with children left in tears during much longer school runs.

Tom White, from Finchampstead, says a trip that used to take about 12 minutes to Wokingham can now take up to 40 minutes after Barkham Road was closed.

He says his family have been leaving home up to 45 minutes earlier to avoid being late and that the disruption is affecting wellbeing and exams.

"Residents understand that the work has to be done, but the disruption it has caused is absolutely horrendous," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Thames Water closed Barkham Road last month to install a new water main, with works due to continue in phases until June 2027. Mr White has questioned whether extra resources could speed the work up.

Wokingham Borough Council's executive member for highways, Councillor Adrian Betteridge, apologised and said the authority had explored alternatives but concluded the work could not be carried out without closing the road.

"We've tried really hard with Thames Water to find a way for this project to happen that doesn't involve closing the road," he told the LDRS. "But it's a 1930s water main that runs through Barkham Road. It intertwines with lots of other utilities along there and we accept that they can't carry out the needed upgrades to the mains without closing the road."

Cllr Betteridge said Thames Water had added resources and that the current phase should finish in early November, a month ahead of the original plan. Thames Water has been approached for comment.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter