South East Water – about to dig up a road near you?
If you live in Wokingham, brace yourselves.
Starting on 23rd July, South East Water are going to be digging up the roads to lay replacement water mains. For 11 months. Where? A stretch that goes across the Coppid Beech roundabout, down London Road into Wokingham, diverts off right past All Saints Church, along Rose Street, Broad Street, through Shute End, down Station Road and across Station Approach, down Oxford Road, and then forking – one branch going via Caroline Drive, Arthur Road and Brookside to Reading Road and the other into Woosehill Meadows.
Various stretches of road will be worked on at various times during the 11 months, but it will mean temporary traffic lights, road closures and diversions – some down residential roads, and some involving very circuitous routes indeed.
The work has to be done. All involved – the Council, South East Water, bus companies, and every other utility company that digs up roads – are doing their level best to minimise disruption. But this is not good news for businesses in the town, or for residents. People will have to plan their journeys carefully, to allow enough time for the diversions, especially when Shute End is closed. And we all need to get behind the shops in the town centre, who will be very worried about the deterrent effect on visitors.
South East Water are running a publicity campaign to let people know what is going on. There will be information on their website, and on the Borough Council’s. Your first opportunity to find out more will be on JULY 3rd between 9 am and 6 pm at Wokingham Town Hall.
have your say
