West Berkshire Council confirms details of Ashampstead Road closure by Bradfield College that will affect the village near Newbury for most of 2025

The details of a controversial road closure that will affect a West Berkshire village for nearly a year have been confirmed.

West Berkshire Council has confirmed the dates and times when a section of Ashampstead Road in Bradfield will be closed so that Bradfield College can carry out repair works to one of its buildings.

Although not as severe as initially reported, Ashampstead Road from the main crossroads by the college up to the River Pang will be fully closed from 8am to 5pm on weekdays from February 24 to April 18, from June 30 to July 18 and from October 13 to November 21.

From April 21 to June 27, the road will be closed on weekdays from 9am to 3pm.

Outside of these times, on weekends and from July 19 to October 12, a single lane will be open with traffic controlled via multi-way signals.

Buses and HGVs will not be able to access the road from February 24 to November 21.

West Berkshire Council also stated that these times and dates may be subject to change dependant on progress or delays.

In response to the road closure confirmation, Bradfield College has stated that the works are “essential” due to the risk of tiles falling from a roof in disrepair injuring pedestrians and damaging vehicles.

A Bradfield College spokesperson said: “We have continued to work with all relevant parties to minimise the impact of our essential works project on access to Ashampstead Road and avoid a full closure for the duration.

“Major and complex repairs are needed to one of our Grade II-listed buildings.

“This follows an independent report into the building’s condition which identified significant concerns with the roof that we need to address in a controlled manner to replace it.

“If left as it is, there is a real risk of falling tiles injuring pedestrians or damaging vehicles.

“If this were to happen, the repairs could become an unplanned project resulting in a much longer and more disruptive period of road closures and traffic management.

“It is therefore something that has to be done and will restore the building to an acceptable standard for the foreseeable future.

“We need to do these repairs to protect the safety of those living in and around Bradfield village and those that pass through it.

“As a large organisation employing over 500 people, many of whom live in the local area, we fully acknowledge the significant inconvenience the proposed closures and resulting diversions will cause.

“We encourage people who use Ashampstead Road to visit our website and register to receive for updates on how the project is progressing, including updates to times the road can be opened.”

The closure, which will have a significant effect of road traffic in the Bradfield area for most of 2025, garnered an angry public response when it was announced last year, with one village resident saying: “It will make our lives a misery for months on end.”