Latest news from Barkham and Arborfield - February 2026

In January, the council reviewed proposals to change parish boundaries, with some changes being approved between Barkham and Finchampstead and Arborfield and Newland. The major change proposed to incorporate the large Finchwood Park development into Barkham will not happen, though a smaller change to consolidate the Arborfield Green development into Barkham is still
possible.

Our roads are showing the impact of a prolonged freeze in January followed by continuous rainfall. I report potholes when I see them and any resident can do the same, just search online for “Wokingham report pothole” for the online reporting page. All reports get inspected, and serious issues get at least a ‘make-safe’ temporary repair within 2 hours of inspection. Less serious issues have a 24 hour or 28-day target for repair. Resident reports play a big role in keeping our roads safe.

Thames Water’s project to replace the water main all the way from Highlands Avenue to Arborfield Studios will have a big impact on the village over the next few months. The work is needed to replace the failing pipes and to provide water for the existing and future development. I have asked council officers to ensure that Thames Water’s proposals minimise disruption, and I will keep a close eye on this. The work at Molly Millars Lane in Wokingham is due to complete in Mid March, with just a few overnight closures thereafter to finish the connections to the new distributor road.

In November, Wokingham’s plan to meet the government set housing target progressed through its first public examination. Many of us feel the extent of development in this area is disproportionate, but this has been unavoidable since development at Hall Farm was proposed in 2021. Importantly, if the plan is agreed later this year, we will have more power to resist the smaller speculative developments in our area which offer few benefits to the community and eat into the remaining green spaces between existing housing.