M4 Junction 11 and A33 Shinfield road works

Work on a major improvement scheme to upgrade junction 11 of the M4 and surrounding roads in Shinfield started in late April 2008.

The scheme will upgrade the motorway junction as well as surrounding roads, including the Mereoak roundabout and part of the A33 Swallowfield bypass in Shinfield.

Work to build a site compound will between the A33 and Mereoak Lane started in April before the first phase of construction which is due to start later this month: May 2008.

Improvements

Features will include extra junction capacity and dedicated facilities for public transport, pedestrians and cycles.

We have been working in partnership with the Highways Agency and project leader Reading Borough Council for several years, to secure a plan to upgrade the junction and surrounding roads.

Contractor, Laing O’Rourke Infrastructure, was appointed to carry out the work by Reading Borough Council on March 17, 2008 on behalf of the project and The Department for Transport released funding for the scheme on Wednesday 26 March 26 2008.

Details of the project

The project includes constructing a 4-lane motorway junction with 2 new strategic road bridges around the existing motorway junction. The existing road bridges will be retained, with one used for pedestrians and the other for cyclists.

Two new signalized junctions south of the M4 at Mereoak, Shinfield, will also be constructed replacing the existing Three Mile Cross roundabout. A comprehensive landscaping scheme will also be created to complement the scheme.

The existing motorway junction will remain open throughout the first phase of the works in order minimise disruption.

Preparations for the major road improvement scheme started late last year when a noise barrier on the Basingstoke Road was built in November. Vegetation clearance also took place throughout February in preparation for the work to begin.

Project updates

Residents living in Shinfield and Swallowfield and local businesses, community groups and key stakeholders will be kept regularly updated throughout the works via newsletters, exhibitions and a dedicated customer care team on site.

The first set of public exhibitions will take place on:

Public exhibitions
Date	Time	Location
Friday 16 May 2008	2pm to 8pm	Holiday Inn South, The Pioneer Room, 500 Basingstoke Road, Reading
Saturday 7 June 2008	9am to 2pm	Three Mile Cross Church Centre, Main Hall, Basingstoke Road, Three Mile Cross

Residents, parish representatives, the business community, commuters who regularly drive through the area and anyone with an interest in the project can drop in to find out more. Maps and information will be available and project representatives will be on hand to answer questions.

Further meetings and exhibitions will be arranged as the project progresses so local residents can keep up to speed on developments.

Updates will also be available on this page and on Reading Borough Council's website.