Vital Junction Upgrade Set for Bracknell-Wokingham

A junction between Bracknell and Wokingham is set for vital works to improve journeys for thousands of new and existing residents.

Peacock Lane runs from the Jennett's Park estate east‑to‑west, linking to Waterloo Road towards Wokingham. The area south of Wokingham is being built up with about 2,500 new homes, and the South Wokingham Distributor Road is being created from the Eastern Gateway roundabout to the Tesco superstore.

Just east of that route is the Peacock Lane junction with Old Wokingham Road and Waterloo Road, near the turning for Easthampstead Park Hotel and the Oakwood Climbing Centre. At present the junction is a bend; the plan is to convert it into a roundabout.

Because the junction sits on the boundary between Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough, Bracknell Forest Council must agree a 'partial surrender of the land'. The council's cabinet, made up entirely of Labour councillors, is set to make the decision today (Tuesday, July 14).

councillor Guy Gillbe (Labour, Easthampstead & Wildridings), cabinet member for planning, transport and countryside, stated: "Peacock Lane is an important local connection between Bracknell Forest and
Wokingham, and the junction with Old Wokingham Road and Waterloo Road needs to function safely and effectively as planned development comes forward.

"The improvements considered form part of the wider transport infrastructure
required to support that growth and to provide better movement for drivers,
pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users."

Cllr Gillbe noted permission to turn the junction into a roundabout was granted under Bracknell planning application 24/00802/FUL, approved in February. He said the current decision is about the legal arrangements needed to enable Wokingham Council to deliver the approved works in Bracknell Forest.

Andrew Hunter, Bracknell council's executive director for place, said: "The proposed roundabout will help improve the safe movement of traffic through the Peacock Lane/Old Wokingham Road/Waterloo Road junction compared to the existing arrangement.

"The scheme, in combination with separate wider highway
improvement works along Peacock Lane and Waterloo Road, will also provide a vastly improved connection for pedestrians and cyclists.

"This will be achieved through the introduction of dedicated facilities to form a
continuous active travel network between boroughs of Bracknell and Wokingham.

"Connectivity of public transport will also be improved by creating achievable access along Peacock Lane and Waterloo Road and the incorporation of new bus stops."

The cabinet has been asked to surrender the land to Wokingham Council, with all transactional landlord and tenant costs to be paid by Wokingham.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter