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Reading Council’s Road Marking: Thermoplastic vs. Cold Paint

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The Reading Borough Council has started applying cold road marking paint products instead of the traditional hot paint material for marking lines on residential roads in Reading. According to the council, this change comes with quieter line painting, reduced carbon emissions, prolonged longevity, and a more environmentally friendly approach.

The introduction of this innovative machine is aimed at cost reduction and aligning with Reading’s commitment to achieving net carbon zero by significantly lowering carbon emissions, by up to 60%.

Priced at £100,000, the electric paint machine serves as a replacement for older diesel-powered vehicles and boasts the ability to operate for a full 8-hour shift on a single charge.

Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing the distinctions between cold and hot marking, particularly in terms of durability and suitability for specific applications.

Cold Road Marking:

Material: Cold road marking typically involves using pre-formed thermoplastic tapes or paints that do not require heating.
Application: Applied at ambient temperature without the need for heating equipment.
Speed: Generally quicker to apply compared to hot road marking as there is no need for preheating.
Hot Road Marking:

Material: Hot road marking uses thermoplastic materials that need to be heated before application.
Application: Requires specialized equipment to heat the material before it is applied onto the road surface.
Speed: Application may take longer due to the heating process, but it tends to be more durable in the long run.
Durability: May have slightly less durability compared to hot road markings.
Suitability: Often used for smaller road marking projects, temporary markings, or where speed of application is crucial.
Durability: Generally more durable and can withstand heavier traffic and harsh weather conditions.
Suitability: Preferred for larger road marking projects, highways, and areas with high traffic volume where long-lasting markings are essential.
THE ADVANTAGES OF COLD PLASTIC
– Cold application, reduced safety risk and no hot works
– More durable than hot plastic methods
– Increase retro reflectivity improving safety and experience for road users
– Sustainable with less site visits required, reducing disruption also and reducing worker safety risk
– Smaller application equipment required and lower investment.
– Can be applied with solely electric equipment – carbon friendly
– Factory controlled colour, UV Stable and options to match to specific RAL Codes

THE DISADVANTAGES OF COLD PLASTIC
– Initial product application more expensive per metre
– Longer cure time – deeper operational process
– More susceptible to weather conditions and changes at point of application
– Higher skill set required – Training required to ensure correct application
THE ADVANTAGES OF THERMOPLASTIC
– Short drying times. No need for full road closures.
– Low initial cost per metre.
– Can be applied to fresh black top without a primer
– Minimum product waste

THE DISADVANTAGES OF THERMOPLASTIC
– Low UV stability on colours
– Colour matching difficult with pigments being manually added
– Poor adhesion values on concrete
– Low softening point – durability reduced in hot weather
– Pick up dirt easily in mucky environments
– Hot temperatures to apply and permits may be required for application

When deciding between cold and hot road marking, factors such as the project’s specific requirements, desired durability, project size, and budget constraints play crucial roles. Each method presents its own advantages, and the choice often hinges on the unique needs and limitations of the road marking project.

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OLLY MURS plays READING – Palmer Park on Friday 13th June 2025!

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Olly Murs fans, buckle up! The Palmer Park Summer Series is delighted to announce Olly Murs Live in Palmer Park, Reading on Friday 13th June 2025.

It’s 15 years since Olly exploded onto our screens, yet he is still more determined than ever about what’s next. With 7 successful albums, 5 of them reaching no.1, in excess of 2 million tour tickets sold, 7.6M monthly Spotify listeners & a combined following of over 27M across social media, Olly has so far had an incredible career as a singer, songwriter & TV personality.

2024 was also a busy year with Olly working 44 dates touring with Take That & finishing off the summer with a run of his own headliner gigs. Having just announced a summer tour in 2025,
Olly has another action-packed year ahead of him & will be celebrating his 15-year anniversary gigging all the hits as he travels down the road to Reading, Palmer Park with Legacy Live on Friday 13th June.

Don’t miss the chance to celebrate 15 fantastic years of Olly Murs in Reading! Book your tickets now at www.legacylive.co Limited Tickets Available!

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Host a Street Party This Summer – Apply Now for Free Road Closures in Reading

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People are being encouraged to bring communities together this summer by holding their own street parties as part of The Big Lunch 2025.

This year’s celebrations are particularly significant, as they coincide with the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day – a special opportunity to come together with neighbours in both celebration and commemoration.

Free Road Closures for Summer 2025 Street Parties

Reading Borough Council is once again supporting local events by covering the cost of road closure fees for street parties on any of the following weekends:

  • Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June – The Big Lunch Weekend
  • Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June – Armed Forces Day
  • Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July
  • Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 July

How to Apply

To host a street party, residents must apply by Monday 21 April 2025. Applications must ensure the proposed road closure does not affect a main through-route or public transport route. Organisers are also asked to consult with neighbours, address any concerns, and ensure access for emergency services is maintained throughout the event.

You’ll need to provide:

  • Your name and contact details
  • The name(s) of the road(s) to be closed
  • The date and times of the closure
  • A list of the properties that will be affected
  • Details of how you will notify residents of the closure
  • Confirmation that neighbours are on board with the plans

So, roll out your bunting, get the trestle tables down from the loft, and start planning your perfect summer street party!

For more information and to submit your application, visit the Reading Borough Council website.

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MP for Earley and Woodley Yuan Yang shortlisted for women’s prize

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Official portrait of Yuan Yang MP

MP for Earley and Woodley Yuan Yang among shortlisted women for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction in 2025.

Yuan Yang, the MP for Woodley and Earley, wrote Private Revolutions: Coming of Age in a New China, while Oxford-based Dr Rachel Clarke wrote The Story of a Heart.

Ms Puri said the non-fiction works were “united by an unforgettable voice, rigour, and unique insight”.

The shortlist is rounded out by Dr Rachel Clarke’s The Story of a Heart, The Buffalo Stance singer’s A Thousand Threads, Chloe Dalton’s Raising Hare, Clare Mulley’s Agent Zo: The Untold Stories of Courageous WW2 Resistance Fighter Elzbieta Zawacka, and Helen Scales’ What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World’s Ocean.

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