Work begins to make the Council’s Civic Offices carbon free
- Changes at Civic Offices as construction work starts to make the office carbon-free
- The Council’s reception remains open for access to resident services
- The work will happen before construction of the new Library and redesigned civic reception begins
Work has started to make Reading Borough Council’s Civic offices carbon-free before construction begins to accommodate a new purpose-built Central Library and redesigned customer service and reception area for residents.
Contractor Morgan Sindall has started work to replace the current gas boilers used for heating and hot water with air-source heat pumps, in line with the Council’s ambition to become Net Zero by 2030. The Council is also replacing the inefficient air-cooling system which is at the end of its life.
An area of the courtyard at the front of the Civic Offices has been sectioned off. However, residents can still use the front entrance on Bridge Street if they need to visit the Council, although it may be noisier than usual.
There will also be the delivery of materials and more lorries in the area, and residents are being asked to take more care around the Civic.
Visitor parking is now unavailable, and we would recommend using the nearby parking bays in Fobney Street, The Oracle, blue badge spaces in St Mary’s Butts, or public transport into the town centre.
Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said: “We have got to the stage where we start to see the preparation work happening on site. Removing the old gas boilers is an important aspect of the project and the Council’s buildings becoming carbon neutral.
“Significant work has gone into the project up to now including applying for government money and creating the plans which are coming to fruition. We now have people on site starting the work to make this a fantastic community asset.
“The library will have a larger area for children and teenagers, as well as study and work desks.
“The redesigned reception will have an improved customer service area for residents which includes the ability to use self-serve terminals.
“These are modern facilities residents of Reading deserve and will use well into the future.”
The modernisation of library services has been possible with a £19.1million investment into the cultural offer in the town by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.