News

• The annual Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean is taking place between 13-29 March
• The Council continues its offer to provide volunteers with free litter picking equipment through the Reading Adopt Your Street (RAYS) scheme

• Reading Council and Reading Buses secure £3m government funding to expand electric bus fleet to 49
• Passengers in south Reading will be next to benefit from smoother, quieter and zero-emission journeys from summer 2027
• Total of £9m Department for Transport funding supports Council’s aims to promote public transport, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality

The original medieval manuscript of Sumer is icumen in, also known as the famed 'Reading Rota' has returned to Reading and will be on display from 10 March to 9 May, thanks to a major loan from the British Library to Reading Museum. This is the first time the manuscript has come back to the town since the dissolution of Reading Abbey in 1539.

• Commemorative tree planted in Reading yesterday to remember those who lost their lives during the Covid pandemic
• Planting follows UK-wide 'Day of Reflection' on Sunday

The major refurbishment of Whitley Wood Pavilion by the Council is now complete, creating a high‑quality home for local sport and neighbourhood activities for many years to come.

• Four existing sites chosen as new Family Hubs, bringing a range of services together under one roof
• Part of the Government's Best Start in Life strategy
• Sites open on Thursday 19 March, with services available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

• April 20 is the deadline to register to vote, ahead of May's local elections
• Quickest and easiest way to register is online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

• One of the standout events on the UK race calendar returns to Reading on Sunday 22 March
• Residents encouraged to check for road closures and to plan ahead if travelling on race day

• New plan to help prevent homelessness and rough sleeping set to be approved
• Focus includes early intervention and breaking the cycle of homelessness
• Strategy will significantly strengthen the Council’s already extensive work in this area

• Reading receives total transport capital grant of £33.7m and revenue grant of £4.9m from government
• New Local Transport Delivery Plan lays out future travel projects and initiatives for Reading over the next four years

• Latest rough sleeping snapshot figure shows numbers remain consistent
• Complex needs can make it hard for people to engage with help and bed spaces offered
• Council committed to working with community and charity partners to offer comprehensive support