Greenways Programme

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2020 – 2030 contains key actions to develop and implement the greenways network and the Loddon Long Distance Path (Statement of Action 2.1(a) and (b)). This includes the Wokingham Greenways Strategy and Implementation Plan which details the routes to be constructed.

You can read the full document below:

• Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2020 – 2030 (PDF Document)
  
  

The greenways project is made up of nine new routes (including the River Loddon Long Distance Path) which are currently planned to be delivered in the order below:

• Route I - California Way (now complete)
• Route B - Cantley Park, Wokingham to Arborfield Cross 
• Route A - Shinfield Parish to Arborfield to Barkham
• Route D - Arborfield to Barkham to South Wokingham to Wokingham  
• Route F - Arborfield Village to Arborfield Green
• Route J - Arborfield to the Blackwater Valley Path
• Route E - River Loddon to Arborfield  
• Route K - Arborfield Cross
  
  

The Loddon Long Distance Path project is being taken forward concurrently with the greenways projects.

California Way connects the new development in Arborfield with the Finchampstead Baptist Centre via California Country Park.

The route was constructed in 2017 with final elements including a new bridle bridge completed in 2020. Further linking paths have been added to this route in 2021 to provide easier access to the greenway from the neighbouring residential areas. 

• California Way map (PDF Document)
• California Way images (PDF Document)

Greenways Route B will connect Cantley Park to Arborfield Cross via Woosehill. A public consultation on Route B was undertaken in March to May 2019 to consider the concept of the whole route. Secondary public consultations for separate sections of the route are also being undertaken once the designs have been further developed.

Take a look at the consultation document below:

• Route B main consultation report May 2019 (PDF Document)
  
  

The route has now been split into four sections. Take a look at the map of the full route below:

• Greenways Route B map (PDF Document)
  

Section 1 – Cantley Park to Woosehill via Matthewsgreen

In Summer 2020 we consulted on an amended route for this section of the greenway through Cantley Park and Matthewsgreen. Take a look at the consultation documents below:

• Route B Section 1 consultation leaflet (PDF Document)
• Route B Section 1 consultation report October 2020 (PDF Document)
• Route B Section 1 consultation report October 2020 Appendix 1 (PDF Document)
• Route B Section 1 consultation report October 2020 Appendix 2 (PDF Document)
• Route B Section 1 consultation report October 2020 Appendix 3 (PDF Document)
• Route B Section 1 consultation report October 2020 Appendix 4 (PDF Document)
  
  

Construction at Cantley Park commenced in February 2021 and was completed in May 2021. Take a look at the photos of construction at Cantley Park below:

• Cantley Park Greenway construction photos (PDF Document)

A statutory consultation was undertaken for the bridleway creation along the Jubilee Avenue section of the route. Following this consultation, we are now in discussion with residents about continuing the route from Milton Road before we make a decision on a bridleway creation order.

The design for a zebra crossing at Milton Road is also being developed and this will be installed once the design for the route at this point is resolved.

Take a look at this section of the route below:

• Cantley Park to Woosehill map (PDF Document)
• Cantley Park detailed design (PDF Document)

Section 2.1 – Woosehill Meadows from Reading Road to Heron Road

A public consultation was undertaken in March to April 2021 for the Woosehill Meadows section of the route. Take a look at the consultation document below:

• Woosehill Meadows consultation leaflet (PDF Document)
  
  

Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. The consultation report has now been published which details the comments received and the changes that have been made in response to these comments. The report and appendices can be downloaded below.

• Section 2.1 (Woosehill Meadows) – Localised Public Consultation Report (PDF document)
• Section 2.1 (Woosehill Meadows) – Localised Public Consultation Report Appendix 1 – Greenways / LLDP Index Map (PDF document)
• Section 2.1 (Woosehill Meadows) – Localised Public Consultation Report Appendix 2 – Consultation Plan (PDF document)
• Section 2.1 (Woosehill Meadows) – Localised Public Consultation Report Appendix 3 – Consultation Responses (PDF document)
• Section 2.1 (Woosehill Meadows) – Localised Public Consultation Report Appendix 4 – Revised Plan for Route B Section 2.1 (PDF document)
• Section 2.1 (Woosehill Meadows) – Localised Public Consultation Report Appendix 5 – Construction phases for Route B Section 2.1 (PDF document)

We've completed the detailed design for the route and chosen a contractor to construct it. Works are due to start after 6 May 2022, beginning at Heron Road and working northwards. 

We are liaising with the South East Rivers Trust to coordinate works on Woosehill Meadows with their own planned works to avoid any conflicts. The main works are expected to be completed by the end of July, with some works relating to the construction of the new bridge at the north of Woosehill Meadows to be undertaken in September.

You can see more detail of the route in the design drawings below:

• Woosehill Meadows feasibility design drawing 1 (PDF Document)
• Woosehill Meadows feasibility design drawing 2 (PDF Document)
• Woosehill Meadows feasibility design drawing 3 (PDF Document)

Please also see below a letter which was sent to Woosehill Meadows residents in early April to explain the works programme in more detail:

• Letter to Woosehill Meadows residents outlining works schedule, 8 April 2022 (PDF Document)
  

Section 2.2 – Heron Road to Bearwood Road via Foxhill

Negotiations and discussions are still underway with landowners regarding this section, as we are seeking opportunities for an alternate route in this area. Whilst negotiations are underway it is not possible to develop a detailed plan for construction.

Take a look at the route below:

• Heron Road to Bearwood Road via Foxhill map (PDF Document)
  
  

Section 3 – Coombes Lane and Coles Lane

An initial design has been developed for a partial closure of this lane to facilitate the greenway. Consultation with adjacent landowners raised concerns about the private access to land adjacent to the lane and issues with the proposed closure. This has led to an adjustment of the design which will not require a closure of the route for vehicles. 

This will be kept under review to ensure that the route remains suitable and safe for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The route has been redesigned to cater for occasional vehicle traffic and agricultural traffic that use the lane.

The bridge at the Coles Lane ford will also be improved to facilitate an accessible crossing point for mobility restricted users.

It is expected that work on the bridge foundations will start in August 2022 and be completed by September 2022. The bridge can be built in October 2022 and the path itself can be built between April and August 2022.

This section of the route will be built in three phases:

Phase 1: Coombes Lane residential

The design for resurfacing of the tarmac surface of this lane is underway and will be included in our general resurfacing programme, which starts in May 2022.

Phase 2: Coombes Lane woods

The design for the surfacing on this section is finished and we are aiming for construction works to start in early summer 2022.

Phase 3: Coles Lane

A contractor has been appointed to design a replacement foot bridge for the Coles Lane ford. Design for the surfacing of the path is being finalised. No firm start date can be given for construction yet because the schedule depends on commissioning ground investigation surveys for the bridge. However, we are hopeful that it can begin in July or August 2022.

The remaining greenways routes will be consulted on and implemented over the next ten years. We will share more information as we progress onto these projects.

Take a look at the routes below:

• Route A Map (PDF Document)
• Route D Map (PDF Document)
• Route F Map (PDF Document)
• Route J Map (PDF Document)
• Route E Map (PDF Document)
• Route K Map (PDF Document)

The Loddon Long Distance Path aims to connect the Thames Path at Wargrave to the Blackwater Valley Path at Swallowfield, forming a 19km route from the north to the south of Borough.

The Loddon Long Distance Path will also link between many of the greenway routes, particularly the greenways connecting to the new developments at Arborfield Green and Shinfield Parish, therefore providing a network of traffic free paths. Combining both the projects will ensure that it follows the similar design standards and provision.

Initial feasibility design has started for this route, and relevant parties are being contacted about the proposals. The sections of the route have been revised following initial feedback. 

Section A: Blackwater Valley Path, Swallowfield to A327 Reading Road

Initial discussions with landowners for this section are underway prior to feasibility designs being developed. 

Section B: A327 Reading Road to Showcase Cinema, Winnersh

Initial discussions with landowners for this section were positive although issues were noted with the planned crossing point under the M4. In response to this, an alternate route option for this section was chosen which uses the existing cycleway along Lower Earley Way. 

Section C: Showcase Cinema, Winnersh to Whistley Bridge, Whistley Mill 

Discussions are underway with various landowners of this section and have been positive. The route confirmation is 90 per cent complete and work has begun on the early design stages.

Section D: Whistley Bridge to A4 Bath Road

Discussions are underway with the various landowners and adjacent landowners of this section and have been positive. Work has also begun for the early design stages of the route which includes exploring the option for a new bridge crossing the River Loddon.

A4 Bath Road to River Thames via Loddon Drive

Initial discussions with the residents' association of Loddon Drive have confirmed that the residents are unfortunately not willing to grant consent for a route along Loddon Drive. An alternate route avoiding this section has been identified using existing cycleways along the A4 Bath Road and the A321 to Wargrave.

Take a look at the route below:

• Loddon Long Distance Path map (PDF Document)
  

The Wokingham Greenways Project will confirm to the British Standards and Industry Quality standards for the Highway Design and Specifications. It will also refer to Sustrans handbook for cycle friendly design (April 2014). The Greenways network will generally comprise a 3m wide path. The greenways will have a hard, permeable surface so that they are accessible in all weathers for commuting journeys to work and journeys to school, and to provide new leisure opportunities to get out into the countryside.

Our approach to Greenways has been to install a high quality, fully permeable surface material where possible. This is made from 50 percent recycled rubber material, combined with stone. This creates a very good surface for walking, cycling and, where appropriate, horse riding.

The construction is a base of 150mm type 3 material, topped with a minimum 35mm of permeable surfacing. In some places this has wooden or concrete edging, but in other places no edging is required.

The material can be laid using a ‘no dig’ construction technique to avoid causing issues for tree roots. This allows the surfacing to be installed through wooded areas without having an adverse effect on existing trees.