Follow these links for recent and previous reports from our District Councillor Nick Carter

Issue 18 August 2026 - https://stratfieldmortimer.com/?na=view&id=19

Issue 16 March 2026: https://stratfieldmortimer.com/?na=view&id=17

Issue 15 December 2025 https://stratfieldmortimer.com/?na=view&id=16

You may have heard from  West Berks Council over the last few months regarding the future of local government in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire and the proposals for reorganisation.     

 The governmenthave  announced that, from 1 April 2028, the seven existing councils will be replaced by three new unitary councils that cover the whole of Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.   

 For us, a new Ridgeway Council, will bring together West Berkshire and most of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts together under a new unitary authority. 

The government has carefully considered all three options on the table alongside the consultation feedback to reach its conclusion. In making its decision to take forward the three-council proposal, the government said this proposal will enable a better outcome overall for the areas. Ridgeway Council will create a viable southern authority with shared strategic interests and stronger capacity to plan and deliver services.  

 The full details of the three-council proposal can be found on  https://3councils.org/  

GREEN WASTE TIPPING IN THE PARISH

Your Parish Council has received reports of garden waste being dumped on the roadside verges and land adjacent to the highways in the Parish.

This is unsightly,  and could be regarded as fly tipping if not done by the landowner. The following rather stark extract from West Berk’s web site summarises the position:

“Anyone caught fly-tipping could be liable for prosecution. If found guilty, punishments could include an unlimited fine, or five years' imprisonment. In April 2024, our fines for fly tipping increased to £1,000 and for duty of care offences to £600. If the rubbish is dumped on private land, the landowner is responsible for removing it”

Residents are reminded that West Berks have a chargeable Green Bin garden waste collection service.  If you do not  subscribe to the garden waste collection service, you can still take your garden waste to either of West Berks recycling centres free of charge (you must hold a valid vehicle permit and book an appointment before you visit –  Book an appointment to visit a recycling centre - West Berkshire Council), or you may want to compost your garden waste at home.

Incidences of fly tipping can be reported to West Berks here:

 Report litter and fly tipping - West Berkshire Council

Previous experience has shown that where it is West Berks responsibility, instances have been dealt with promptly.

Please help keep our Parish clean.

The 50mph sign opposite the Parish Noticeboard in Goring Lane has been knocked over. Whilst its pole shows obvious signs of corrosion, skid marks on the verge and the fact that the number post for one of the cottages opposite has also been knocked over,  apparently at the same time,  suggests there may have been yet another accident/near miss in this vicinity. The incident was reported to West Berks on 2nd July. If anyone has any information, please send via the "Contact Us" facility on the Home page. Thanks

WEST BERKS HAVE ISSUED THE FOLLOWING WARNING RE: POSSIBLE DISRUPTION TO WASTE COLLECTION

Dear Town and Parish Councils,

 I wanted to make you aware that, due to the current high temperatures, there is a risk of disruption to waste and recycling collections today and over the coming days.

Veolia are continuing to operate services, but conditions may impact their ability to complete all scheduled rounds.

 To mitigate the impact of the hot weather on crews, a number of measures are in place, including:

• Starting rounds earlier in the day
• Encouraging regular breaks throughout shifts (vehicles have air conditioning)
• Providing water and support to crews on the ground
• Closely monitoring weather conditions and staff welfare

We will provide targeted updates directly to affected ward members were specific areas experience disruption.

 If residents contact you regarding their scheduled collection not completing, please advise them to leave their bins out as we will prioritise returning to collect non completed rounds.

They can check the latest position or report missed bins via:
👉 www.westberks.gov.uk/missedbin

 Thank you for your continued support and understanding, particularly during these challenging conditions.

Kind regards

Daniel Warne

Waste Manager
Environment  West Berkshire Council  Market Street  Newbury  RG14 5LD
(01635) 503243| Ext 3243 | daniel.warne@westberks.gov.uk
www.westberks.gov.uk

26/06/2026 UPDATE

 The recent joint notice issued by WB, SSEN & Clancy re Goring Lane Closure is misleading, not to say inaccurate.  It states

“For the continual closure of Goring Lane, the diversion route will remain unchanged, following Reading Road, Hermits Hill, The Hatch, Reading Road, Burghfield Road, Amners Farm Road, Pingewood Road South, Access Road from Kybes Lane to Kirton’s Farm Road, Grazeley Green Road and vice versa.”

There are several problems with this  .

• Firstly the diversion posted in this issue IS CHANGED from the previous version.
• Secondly  Kirton’s Farm Road is bisected by the M4 and there is no underpass – not even a footway despite what OS maps show.
• Thirdly even if there were an underpass,  Kirton’s Farm Road  doesn’t connect to Grazeley Green Road. It joins Kybes Lane at its junction with  Pingewood Road south.

Kybes lane does in fact join Grazeley Green Road however the stretch beyond its junction with Hartley Court Road is a single track road with few  passing places. The closure notice says that they will consider “road not suitable for diverted traffic signs’ should they be required. Anyone who has travelled Kybes Lane would probably regard it as fitting this criterion.

This 6+ mile diversion is meant to deal with the closure of Goring Lane at its western end at the junction with Reading Road. A far more practical detour is to follow Reading Road to its junction with Hollybush Lane, turn right at the traffic lights and rejoin Goring Lane at the end  -  atotaldistance of about a quarter of a mile.

23/06/2026 UPDATE

The closure sign at the junction of Goring Lane and Fuller's Lane by the railway bridge is somewhat misleading. The stretch of Goring Lane which is closed is between Hollybush Lane and Reading Road & is some 3 miles away. I.E.  Mortimer  is still accessible from Goring Lane via Goodboys Lane, New Road and Mowbray Hill ( the road signposted Mortimer Station and the best route given the others are single-track roads with limited passing places) and Burghfield / Burghfield Common via Palmer's Lane, James Lane and Hollybush Lane.

21/06/2026 UPDATE

The closure at the junction of Goring Lane and Palmer's/Goodboy's Lanes was lifted on at 20th.  At the same time Goring Lane was closed at it's junction with Reading Road at the twin roundabouts. Gorig Lane is now open along its length from Fuller's Lane as far as Hollybush Lane / Brewery Common. The shortest diversion will be via Hollybush Lane and Reading Road. 

19/06/2026 UPDATE

The closure at the junction of Goring Lane and Palmer's/Goodboy's Lanes is due to be lifted on 25th. At the same time Goring Lane will be closed at it's junction with Reading Road at the twin roundabouts from 22nd June. WB have announced a lengthy detour to get to the far end of Goring Lane which involves the single track Kybes Lane. That may be necessary for a few days but once Palmer's Lane's closure is lifted, a more practical and much shorter diversion would be to turn into Hollybush Lane at the lights by Tesco Express to regain access to Goring Lane once fully open. 

01/06/2026 UPDATE

As of today Goring Lane is closed east bound beyond James Lane and west bound after the Palmer's Lane /Goodboys junction. Closures will be in place for 2-3 weeks according to the contractors.  Palmer's Lane and Goodboys are currently open but some closure can be expected within the 2-3 week period. The closure at the western end is now removed and access to Reading Road restored. 

Wokefield Parish Annual Report for the year April 1st 2025 to  to 31st March 2026 is now available under the Reports and Audits  section within Council Functions

PARISH COUNCIL OF

WOKEFIELD.

VACANCY FOR A

COUNCILLOR

1.         There is a vacancy on the above Council caused by  the resignation of Councillor David Gurney

2.         A by-election to fill the vacancy will be held if within 14 days (not counting a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a Bank Holiday) from the date below ten electors for the ward/parish give notice in writing claiming such an election to the Returning Officer.

3.                 The address of the Returning Officer is West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, .

4.         If no such notice is given the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.

Signed: C. Faulkner                                                           Dated: 22/05/2026

  Chairman

  Wokefield Parish Council

Address:   

Keepers Cottage

Goodboys Lane

Mortimer

RG7 3AH

See attached documents for letter concerning further closure of Goodboys Lane and the posted diversion

A number of parishioners have complained that the 3-weekly intervall between black bin collections is too long. Did you know you can request a bigger bin from West Berks council?  Follow this link for more info: Apply for a larger black rubbish bin - West Berkshire Council

Please see attached for Wokefield Parish April 2026 Newsletter

BELOW IS AN UPDATE ON RECYCLING FROM WEST BERKS COUNCIL

We thought we would share a few updates and upcoming focus areas from the Waste and Recycling Team that may be useful for your residents.

Each month, we focus our communications and engagement on a small number of waste and recycling topics to help keep messages clear and consistent. If you have capacity through a parish newsletter, website, or social media channels, it would be great if you could help us share these messages locally.

Plastic tube recycling

West Berkshire Council, in partnership with Veolia, is pleased to announce a new addition to its kerbside recycling service: plastic tubes can now be recycled from home as part of your regular collection.

 This includes all toothpaste tubes both hard and flexible, cosmetic tubes and food tubes.

 Some other examples include

1. Herb pastes
2. Cake/biscuit icing tubes
3. Hand creams
4. Moisturisers

If it is hard or soft plastic and tube shaped, squeeze it, recycle it!

How to recycle your tubes correctly:

1. Empty the tube completely – squeeze out any remaining product.
2. Leave the cap on – it can be recycled too.
3. Keep tubes flat, not rolled – rolling makes them smaller and harder to recover for recycling.

 Simply place your plastic tubes in the same container used to collect your plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, aerosols and tins/cans.

 More information can be found here: www.westberks.gov.uk/article/45537/West-Berkshire-Council-launches-kerbside-recycling-for-plastic-tubes

Real Nappy Week - Monday 27 April to Sunday 3 May
April also includes Real Nappy Week, which is an opportunity to promote reusable nappy options. Using real nappies can significantly reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste produced by families and can also save money over time. Information on real nappy schemes and local support is available on our website.

 For more information on our FREE trial packs visit: westberks.gov.uk/realnappiesapply

 For more information on our £30 real nappy cash back scheme visit:

westberks.gov.uk/nappies

 If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 Thank you, as always, for your support in helping us share waste and recycling messages with residents.

 Best wishes,

Waste Management

West Berkshire Council

19/04/2026 UPDATE

The rolling road closure has passed Goddard's Green & the road is now closed between Man's Hill and Lockram Lane.

08/02/2026 - UPDATE

The Road Closed sign adjacent to the Gooboys Lane junction has now been removed. Goring Lane is now closed west of New Road. I.E. you can access James Lane and New Road when approaching from the Old Bell if heading west, or divert via Man's Hill or Lockram Lane if travelling east. This phase is due to kast approx 70 days.

16/01/2026 UPDATE

Goring  Lane is currently closed between James Lane and New Road. i.e.  you can turn left  out of James Lane onto Goring Lane and left out of New Road onto Goring Lane

9 Month Closure of Goring Lane from 17th November 2025

You will no doubt be aware of Scottish & Southern Electricity Network’s closing the road to install underground cables. If you weren’t able to attend the briefing by the contractor Clancy Group at CSA club & haven’t seen Clancy’s flyer, the following additional information will be of use/interest:

This work is part of a larger project to connect a substation near Kirton’s Farm with one near Bramley and will require a 2m wide x 2m deep trench up the centre of the carriageway. Hence the need for the road closure

Goring Lane from Goodboys Lane/ Palmers Lane crossroads to Reading Road Burghfield Common will closed as a through route for the full 9 months.

However, within this 9-month period only shorter stretches will be fully blocked. Clancy have promised to send a schedule of the stretches of road and approximate durations of closures. 

Residents will always be able to exit their properties & all normal services will be maintained e.g. refuse collection, emergency services, deliveries etc.

The published diversion will be via Mere Oak Lane through Grazeley & Mortimer to Reading Road. 

 Warning signs on minor roads will warn motorists of the closure.

 It has nothing to do with connecting to the grid the solar farms in or planned for the area.

It will not result in removal of overhead powerlines.

The contractors have provided estimates of the individual closures along Goring Lane.

Whilst Goring Lane will be closed to through traffic for the full 9 months, individual stretches will be closed for much less. Below is a list of the intended stages and durations:

Stage -  Intended Duration   (days)

Palmers Lane to James Lane -  21

James Lane to New Road -  14

New Road to Mans Hill -  70

Mans Hill to Lockram Road -  43

Lockram Road to Hollybush Lane -  34

Hollybush Lane to Reading Road,Burghfield Common -  40

The contractors are reluctant to publicise start dates because they cannot completely anticipate what they may encounter once excavation starts

· If you have any queries, contact fleetandbramleyinfo@theclancygroup.co.uk

Parish Council Vacancies – Could You Be a Councillor?

Wokefield Parish Council currently has vacancies for councillors and is seeking enthusiastic, community-minded people to join.

Parish councillors are volunteers who care about their community and want to make a difference. The role involves:

Attending council meetings (quarterly)

Helping to make decisions on local services, facilities, and projects

Representing the views of residents

No prior experience is needed – just a willingness to get involved. Training and support are available.

If you are interested in becoming a parish councillor, please contact the Parish Clerk at: clerk@wokefieldparishcouncil.gov.uk

Our Parish Councillors

Chris Faulkner (Chairman)                                                  

Jim Thompson (Vice-Chairman)

Richard Thorne (Councillor)