Wokingham Major Highways Programme

We were appointed by Wokingham Borough Council to deliver vital infrastructure upgrades to alleviate congestion and enhance accessibility in Wokingham.

Infrastructure for new communities

With a growing population and the investment in new schools, leisure facilities, open spaces and 12,000 homes across the borough, Wokingham Borough Council’s £125 million investment in their major highways programme alleviates congestion, improves traffic flow and enhances accessibility in the historic market town of Wokingham.

The five-year package of works included the planning, design and construction of nine projects which were divided into five schemes. The schemes delivered via the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework included: 

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

Early contractor involvement delivers

A highly collaborative approach and a detailed strategy for planning, design and delivery was vital in ensuring we minimised any negative impact on the local community.

Utilising the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework provided the Council with rapid access to our expertise early, reducing procurement time by one year and ensuring risks could be mitigated and best value solutions implemented. The framework also offered flexibility within the programme of work so that each of the schemes could be delivered in an effective and efficient manner.

Creating a lasting legacy

Generating social value and leaving a legacy for the community was a key priority for the Council. Through our well-established approach to generating social value, we delivered £34 million of social value add through the following initiatives:

  • The creation of a bespoke employment and skills plan
  • Delivering a six-week ‘Getting into the Construction Industry’ course alongside the Council
  • Spending locally and engagement with SMEs
  • Engaging with 7,189 students via visits and events at local schools and colleges including live and virtual careers fairs
  • Providing site visits and work experience for students
  • Providing 75 weeks of work placements for 25 students
  • Employing of six apprentices
  • Carrying out 35 days of volunteering
  • Donating £44,000 to local charities
  • Creating a seven-hectare country park as a suitable alternative Natural Greenspace that contains 2,500 trees, four ponds and wildflower meadows, bat, badger, newt and other wildlife protection measures and habitat enhancements
£34 million

social value add

£25 million

spent with local SMEs

7,189

students engaged by the project team