THE 'FIRST PHASE' of the to-be-built distributor road in Wokingham is now complete, contractors have said.

Balfour Beatty, the construction company working on the new development, announced the progress last week, July 7, stating that the 'first phase' - construction of 11 concrete retaining walls - of the build is now complete.

The build itself is a new distributor road in the process of being built in south Wokingham, featuring a new railway bridge and cycle/footpath, connecting to what will be a new roundabout on Waterloo Road.

ALSO READ: List of road closures for improvements in Arborfield revealed

A spokesman for Balfour Beatty, construction company, said: "We are pleased to report that the first phase of works at Eastern Gateway, which is a vital part of the South Wokingham Distributor Road (SWDR), are now substantially complete.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the local community, for your patience and cooperation so far.

"Our thanks also to the senior leadership team at Montague Park Primary School for their support.

"We are now focusing on the second phase of the project.

ALSO READ: Bracknell Forest's hospitality commuters more reliant on public transport than office workers

"This will include the construction of the new railway bridge, new road and pedestrian/cycle way connecting to a new roundabout on Waterloo Road, allowing for closure of the current Waterloo Road level crossing.

"This will provide a high-quality corridor for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, which currently does not exist.

"Demobilisation of the cabins and compounds on the northern side of the railway have now been completed and works are not expected to begin again on this section of the project until later in the year.

"Please expect to hear from us again as soon as we have more details about the second stage of works."

For more information, visit wokingham.gov.uk/roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/major-new-roads/.