Denmark Street Works – Update
Denmark Street
Since starting main construction in mid-March, Wokingham Borough Council’s contractor McLaughlin & Harvey has been making excellent progress with construction at Elms Field, which includes facilities such as a new cinema, shops, food store and a fantastic landscaped park and destination play area.
Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development and regeneration, said: “Since starting on site we’ve spent a lot of time discussing the works around the town and meeting with key stakeholders such as local residents associations and the town council. These meetings have helped us look at the best ways to keep people updated. It has also given us the opportunity to better manage the works to minimise disruption as much as possible to the town.
“During this first phase of construction we will need to carry out a range of works at the bottom of Denmark Street. To do this we need to close the Denmark Street lane and footpath immediately adjacent to the site between the Carnival roundabout and the junction with Langborough Road. This will allow for essential utilities work and the eventual widening of this narrow section of road and footpath. We’ve decided to do this work at the same time as the Market Place to reduce the inconvenience to road users and residents.”
May 21 Start Date
Contractors will be working hard to complete this as quickly as possible, but at the moment the council expects the work to run from May 21 for approximately three months.
During this time, traffic will be able to travel northbound from the Carnival roundabout towards the library, car park (which will remain open) and Langborough Road. All southbound traffic will be prohibited and drivers will need to follow the existing diversion route along Peach Street. During this closure Langborough Road will become one way with traffic able to travel eastbound from the library roundabout towards Easthampstead Road. Traffic restrictions will remain under review throughout the works to help minimise disruption.
Traffic Restrictions
Cllr Munro added: “Whilst we recognise any further traffic restrictions in the town centre will be unwelcome, this work needs to be carried out urgently to allow Elms Field development to progress. By co-ordinating this work alongside the existing Denmark Street closure we reduce the overall time restrictions need to be in place and reduce impact for the majority of road users who are already being diverted away from this section of road.”
Over the next week McLaughlin & Harvey will also start working on the area next to the Carnival Pool roundabout. The hoardings will be moved closer to Wellington Road and a temporary pedestrian route set up.
