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Waterman wins framework on congestion-busting Bracknell road scheme

Waterman’s infrastructure and environment team has been appointed by Bracknell Forest Council for the design of the A322 Downshire Way widening scheme. 

Considered by Transport for South East to be one of the top seven most congested corridor routes in the south east, the route forms a single carriageway bottleneck within adjacent sections of the A322-A329 corridor. The scheme seeks to remedy this by reducing congestion and cutting journey times in this busy area. 

Part of wider plans for development growth in the Bracknell Forest region, the improvements will help prepare the highways network for the proposed addition of 11,000 new homes as part of the emerging local plan for further growth up to 2034. The scheme’s highways design is nearing completion with works anticipated to commence in January 2019. 

The project consists of ‘dualling’ almost 1km of single carriageway in a congested outer urban bottleneck. The proposals include the new carriageway, adding signals to an existing priority junction, installation of street lighting and drainage, widening of a reinforced concrete pedestrian underpass and earthworks design for embankment widening. 

Amrit Ghose, Waterman’s regional director in charge of the framework, commented; “We are delighted to have been appointed by Bracknell Forest Council for this vital scheme, which will help alleviate congestion on an important and strategic corridor connecting the M3-M4 within one of the most populous economic hubs in the south east. Our appointment is another key step in our plans to grow our public-sector business across the south east and the rest of the UK.”

The council say that once complete the Downshire Way scheme will contribute towards more reliable journey times, the ability for local residents to move more easily around the local road network and improved air quality thanks to reduced congestion. Other benefits incorporated within the scheme will include improved landscaping wherever achievable and a quieter road surface, which will reduce noise pollution.

If you would like to contact Andy Walker about this, or any other story, please email awalker@infrastructure-intelligence.com.