June 2022
White lining programme under way
A programme of refreshing white lining on roads across Bracknell Forest started on 15 November 2021. It is dealing with instances where lines have become faint over the last few years.
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Markets and outdoor marquees: permitted development rights made permanent
On 20 December 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced that changes to permitted development rights originally introduced during the pandemic to allow markets and outdoors marquees to be held without planning permissions will now be made permanent following public consultation.
The changes, which were first introduced last year as a temporary measure to boost high streets and small businesses during national restrictions, mean markets can be held more often, and marquees put up in pub and restaurant gardens without the need for planning permission.
For example, councils will also be able to hold street markets as required without the need for a planning application and pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able to install gazebos on their own land without planning permission.
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Replacement loop for Sainsbury’s Bagshot Road traffic lights
Work on a replacement loop for the traffic lights on the Sainsbury’s Bagshot Road roundabout, took place between January and March 2022. The lights were installed nearly 30 years ago, and the renewal was necessary to ensure their continued safe and efficient functioning. The scheme is wholly financed by external funding from the Getting Building Fund.
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Clearing up after Storm Eunice
Intensive work by Council and other teams enabled nearly all roads to reopen quickly after Storm Eunice on 18 February. Part of a building collapsed into Rectory Lane, Bracknell (top), so this road remained closed until 2 March on the instructions of the fire service and police. Repairs are still under way. For the Bracknell Forest Council, there has been no long-term effect on cost or timing of highways works. More widely, the national early warning system worked well in minimising injuries and deaths, which were far lower than the storm of 1987 and the East coast floods of 1953.
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Dukes Ride zebra crossing work completed
The work to install an additional zebra crossing in Dukes Ride, Crowthorne was carried out in February and March, with other white-lining work carried out in the area (above).
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Wildridings roundabout is resurfaced
The A3095 Wildridings roundabout was resurfaced over five nights between 8 and 15 March. Information boards and variable message signs gave road users advance warning of the works.
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Martin’s Heron junction scheme, completed in 2019, has cut journey times
A report to the Berkshire Strategic Transport Forum has noted that journey times have been cut by the Martin’s Heron junction scheme in the two years since its completion. Access to roads for local residents has also been improved by the changed traffic movements.
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A3095: scheme increases capacity and improves journey times
New lanes on the A3095 opened in May 2021 at the Golden Retriever crossroads and the Hanworth roundabout. Verge greening work was carried out later in the year, the timing being dependant on the right planting conditions. The highway scheme is the largest ever undertaken by the council, and was completed earlier than the original date, and on budget.
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Addressing speeding concerns
Work is in hand with Thames Valley Police to tackle residents’ concerns over speeding motorists with illegally modified vehicles, which is occurring particularly on major roads. Additionally, Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber and James Sunderland MP were at the launch of a speed watch campaign, which seeks to recruit volunteers from local residents to monitor vehicle speeds on local roads.
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New signage and gates for the Cut Countryside Corridor
New signage and gates have been installed at the Cut Countryside Corridor and Garth Meadows. They are designed to further encourage awareness and use of these SANGs.
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Lockdowns increased SANG and SPA visits
Visits to SANGs and SPA areas increased during the lockdowns, the typical visitor travelling 1 mile or less to get there, for a visit of between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Pre-Covid, slightly more visits occurred between September to February than March to August, according to a survey carried out by the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership.
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