Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2

Schedule of work

Early 2019: Preparation for the delivery of the scheme, archaeological and environmental studies
Spring 2019: Site preparation
Autumn 2019: Detailed design and planning conditions completed
Late Autumn 2019: Construction begins on King Street Lane
Early 2020: Start utility diversion work
September2021: Open to traffic

Current project status

The final section of the scheme, linking to the new West of Old Forest Road via another new roundabout on Reading Road, was opened for traffic in September 2021. With completion of this scheme, motorists and local residents can now begin appreciating the full benefits associated with the completed Winnersh Relief Road, most notably on the A329 through Winnersh.

Please refer to the construction phase plans and project newsletters for further details of the works.

Planning application

Planning approval for the Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2 was granted in October 2018. You can take a look at all the planning documents on the planning portal by searching for application number 180760.

Public exhibitions that were held

We held the following public exhibitions to update the public on our proposal:

Wednesday 13 September 2017 (9am to 6pm) at Allnatt Pavilion
Saturday 16 September 2017 (1pm to 6pm) at the Winnersh Community Centre
Monday 18 September 2017 (6pm to 9pm) at the Allnatt Pavilion

Phase 2 feedback

The original planning application for Phase 2 was submitted in Spring 2018 but has since been updated as a result of valued feedback from local residents and business. We welcomed further formal comments on these improvements which included:

The proposed northern roundabout to be moved further away from properties 305-315 Reading Road.
Amendments to the proposed pedestrian crossing points.
Introducing a shared space outside 286-290 Reading Road.
A right turn lane into Sadlers Lane and junctions of Sandstone Close and Laburnum Road.
Alteration to the proposed positioning of pre signal and traffic island opposite Green Lane removing requirement for banned right turn.

Residents were encouraged to view application documents and provide formal comments on the application by the 24 September. All further comments received prior to 24 September were considered by the council.

Design

Detailed design work has now commenced, incorporating any planning conditions. This project forms part of the Borough Council's Major Highways Project with Balfour Beatty.

Construction

Enabling works for the road commenced in February 2019, with main construction work starting Autumn 2020 and the road opened to traffic in May 2021.

An upgrade to the King Street Lane junction with Reading Road was completed in late 2019 and revised arrangements are in place now the road is fully open. These include:

No right turn from Longdon Road onto King Street Lane.
No right turn from King Street Lane onto Hatch Farm Way.

These changes have been implemented to help keep traffic flowing, encourage use of the new road from Reading Road through to Lower Early Way North, and to take pressure off the Reading Road and the Showcase roundabout.

Delivery of this scheme is being aligned with West of Old Forest Road and Toutley Road. This will maximise the efficiency of delivery, avoid unnecessary duplication of resources and, where possible, minimise disruption to road users.

Newsletters

To stay up to speed with all our Major Highways projects you can use our online form to sign up to our newsletter. You will also see other listings that may be of interest to you.

For more detailed updates about the Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2 sign up to our contractor Balfour Beatty’s individual project update newsletters by emailing them at WRR@balfourbeatty.com.

Take a look at the newsletters below: