News

• Council plants more than 400 trees across the borough during the autumn and winter
• Residents and volunteers help with planting at community orchard in Whitley

• Reading's famous Half Marathon returns on Sunday April 14
• Residents reminded to pay attention to rolling road closures and plan ahead for any journeys

• Rivermead’s two new pools will be filled with approximately 1,700,000 litres of water over a 12 day period.
• 25-metre pool and teaching and diving pool on schedule to open summer 2024.

• Council certified bronze level five months into Carbon Literacy training programme
• Accreditation demonstrates Council’s commitment to genuine low carbon action

• Communities can host street parties again for free this summer after the Council waives road closure fees
• Residents can apply online and the deadline is April 29

• New Buzz 18 will serve central Reading, Rivermead, River Academy, Portman Road and Kentwood Hill
• Another new route from the Council’s £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan

• Reading was one of 67 areas of England to receive a share of a £95 million government High Streets Heritage Action Zone fund.
• Reading Borough Council delivered a four-year £1.6 million programme, investing in community engagement and cultural events alongside buildings and shop fronts.
• More opportunities for the public to get involved – join the Oxford Road Giant Puppet Parade, and help paint a large outdoor mural.

• Mayor's Let’s Sing competition 2024 grand final features 17 competitors from Reading
• Expanded to include soloists, duets, and groups, with two categories: junior and senior
• Finalists will compete on March 26 at the Hexagon, judged by a panel including the Mayor, with proceeds supporting Reading Refugee Support Group and Reading Stroke Support Group

• New station building contains an information counter, customer toilet and a space for future retail opportunity
• Station upgrade includes new, staffed ticket gates, improved lighting and CCTV

• £866,000 funding for installation of up to 2,700 on-street public charging points
• Programme will also fund up to 150 pavement gullies to enable on-street charging

OUTDOOR chess tables have been installed at Prospect Park and Palmer Park, made possible with Levelling Up and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funding.

• Publication of updated national planning policy guidance means the next phase of consultation on Reading's Local Plan will now take place from November
• When finalised, Reading’s Local Plan will guide decisions on planning applications up to 2041