Wokingham Major Highways Programme

We were appointed by Wokingham Borough Council to deliver vital infrastructure upgrades that alleviate congestion and improve accessibility across the borough.

Infrastructure for new communities

With a rapidly growing population and major investment in new schools, leisure facilities, open spaces and 12,000 new homes, Wokingham Borough Council committed £125 million to transform its highways network. The programme reduces congestion, enhances traffic flow and improves accessibility in the historic market town of Wokingham.

Delivered over five years via the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework, the programme comprised the planning, design and construction of nine projects across five schemes:

  • North Wokingham Distributor Road (NWDR)
  • South Wokingham Distributor Road (SWDR)
  • Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2
  • Arborfield Cross Relief Road
  • Barkham Bridge

Early contractor involvement

A highly collaborative approach supported by a detailed planning, design and delivery strategy was essential in minimising disruption to the local community.

Using the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework gave the Council rapid access to our expertise, reducing procurement time by one year. It also enabled early risk mitigation, best-value engineering solutions and flexibility across the programme so each scheme could be delivered efficiently and effectively.

Creating a lasting legacy

Generating social value and leaving a positive legacy for the community was a key priority for the Council. Through our well-established approach to social value, we delivered £34 million of social value across the programme, including:

  • developing a bespoke employment and skills plan
  • running a six-week ‘Getting into the Construction Industry’ course in partnership with the Council
  • Prioritising local spend and engagement with SMEs
  • Engaging 7,189 students through school and college events, including live and virtual careers fairs
  • providing site visits, work experience and 75 weeks of placements for 25 students
  • employing six apprentices
  • completing 35 days of volunteering
  • Donating £44,000 to local charities
  • creating a seven-hectare country park featuring:
    • 2,500 trees
    • four ponds and wildflower meadows
    • habitat enhancements and protection measures for bats, badgers, newts and other wildlife.
£34 million

social value add

£25 million

spent with local SMEs

7,189

students engaged by the project team