Western Gateway

Project overview

To improve traffic flows on Finchampstead Road in support of the South Wokingham Distributor Road, we’ve upgraded the mini-roundabout at the junction with Molly Millars Lane to a larger roundabout.

The project has now reached practical completion, with the construction element finalised. We are in the process of finishing the scheme, with permanent traffic lights. You can view a diagram showing the completed scheme.

Alongside the work on this roundabout, we've also completed extensive upgrades around the Tesco roundabout on the other side of the railway bridge.

We will need to do further work here at some stage connect the roundabout to the Central Section of the distributor road.

Improvements for active travel

The work has included improved pedestrian and cycle access, with new and wider sections of footway and shared use path for cyclists, as well as landscaping and tree planting.

The northern side of Molly Millars Lane has been significantly improved, with a wider, shared footway and cycleway replacing the existing grass verge.

There are now two controlled crossings on Finchampstead Road, one either side of the railway bridge.

Another crossing is on Finchampstead Road to the south of the roundabout, replacing the old one to move it nearer to the junction with Tangley Drive. 

There is a new controlled crossing on Molly Millars Lane, as well as an uncontrolled crossing on the traffic island at the junction of Molly Millars Lane and the new roundabout.

In addition to the new crossings, residents will be able to benefit from new walking and cycling facilities in this area.

Our work at this junction has included improvements to active travel, with new and wider sections of footway and shared use paths for cyclists.

A new 3 metre-wide shared footway and cycleway has replaced the old grass verge that previously ran alongside Eden Motors on Molly Millars Lane.

There is a 3 metre-wide section on the opposite side of the carriageway, but this is a footway only.

Additionally, a 2.5 metre-wide shared foot and cycleway runs between the railway bridge and the southern approach to the junction.

How we delivered the roundabout

The project started in the summer of 2025 and was carried out in stages.

We closed only one arm of the roundabout at any given time to minimise delays and keep traffic flowing as best as possible.

First, Molly Millars Lane was closed through to early September 2025. We then closed Finchampstead Road to the north of the junction until the end of January, moving to the southern approach after that.

This stage ran until early March and we then carried out overnight work for about two weeks to finish the roundabout and our work on the Tesco roundabout.

You can read our previous newsletters to look back at how the project unfolded.

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