Keeping West Berkshire moving: Better reads, safer journeys!

We are dedicated to enhancing the way we deliver services, with a strong focus on improving and maintaining our highways infrastructure. Our ongoing efforts highlight our commitment to keeping our roads safe, efficient, and accessible for everyone.

Throughout the year, we're on the ground working to enhance your daily journeys. Whether it's fixing potholes, resurfacing roads, or ensuring proper drainage, our work is all about keeping you moving smoothly and safely across the district.

Road signs get a makeover!

Have you noticed that some road signs in West Berkshire are looking a little grubby? Well, there's some good news - we've allocated funding in this year's budget to give them the attention they deserve! This project is part of our ongoing effort to take pride in our community and improve the look of the district, making it more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

Over the next few months, we'll be rolling out a cleaning schedule, prioritising the signs that need it most. Clean and clear road signs not only make our streets look better but also ensure that important information is easily visible for everyone.

Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates on the project and to see when the clean-up is happening in your area. We're excited to share our progress as we work to enhance the beauty of West Berkshire.

Smoother roads ahead with new pothole criteria for faster repairs

We are stepping up our game when it comes to road repairs. We've introduced new criteria for fixing potholes, aiming to achieve better results and keep our roads in top condition. From now on, we'll be repairing potholes that are 4cm deep instead of 5cm, as long as they're at least 30cm wide. This means we'll be catching more potholes earlier than we previously were.

By reclassifying the way we measure potholes, we'll be inspecting and repairing more of them, improving the overall quality of our primary, secondary and local roads. This change is part of our ongoing commitment to investing in and improving road conditions for all residents and highway users.

With these new criteria, we expect to repair 20% more potholes in the next year -that's around 600 extra repairs! Keep an eye out as we continue to make West Berkshire's roads smoother and safer for everyone.

Keeping West Berkshire roads safe over Winter

Over the winter we'll be working hard to keep roads safe and traffic moving smoothly, even in the toughest weather. Our Winter Service Policy and Plan outlines how we respond when ice and snow are forecast, minimising delays and accidents during the colder months. From November to March, we closely monitor the weather to decide when gritting and snow clearance is needed - treatment is usually carried out before or after rush hour for maximum efficiency.

For the first time this winter, we'll be using state-of-the-art thermal sensors fixed to street lighting columns along winter maintenance routes and on winter gritting vehicles. The data from the new sensors will be integrated into the Council's winter forecast process allowing more informed decisions to be made on when roads should be treated.

While we handle most roads in the district, the M4 and A34 are managed by National Highways, and private or unadopted roads are not covered by our gritting or snow clearance plans. You can help by clearing snow
and ice from pavements - it's safe and easier than you might think!

Tips for clearing snow and ice:

Clear early in the day before snow hardens
Don't use water; it could refreeze into black ice
Use salt to melt ice and snow, but don't take it from public salting bins as this is used to keep roads clear, not private properties
Ash or sand can help if you're low on salt as it will provide grip underfoot
Take extra care on steps and steep paths, adding more salt for grip

Stay updated on road conditions and closures throughout the winter by visiting our live roadworks map: westberks.gov.uk/roadworksmap

Let's keep West Berkshire moving safely this winter!