News

Residents face a 4-month closure of Reading station underpass, enduring a grim diversion.

Published

12 months ago

May 7, 2024

admin

Recently, the Labour-controlled Reading Borough Council has announced a 16-week closure of the public subway beneath Reading station to undertake repairs and complete works to remove the often-vandalised ceiling tiles. Despite the overdue improvements, the timing and duration of the closure, along with the absence of a suitable diversion route, render the impact on town centre residents unacceptable.

The proposed works coincide with the upcoming Reading Festival – any delay risks causing chaos for festivalgoers and creating an unwelcoming atmosphere in the town centre upon their arrival. Moreover, the diversion route is over FOUR TIMES longer than the subway route it replaces, leading pedestrians on a winding journey underneath the filthy, noisy, and cramped Vastern Road underpass, which is in desperate need of thorough cleaning.

The Reading Liberal Democrats are advocating for:

a shorter, cleaner, diversion route for all, using the Reading station overbridge
a shorter period of works to reduce the risk of collision with Reading Festival.
Liberal Democrat candidate for Abbey ward and Reading Central parliamentary candidate, Henry Wright, said:

“There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for improvements to the Reading station underpass, however the diversion and closure show, once again, Reading Labour’s disdain for walkers and cyclists, and users of the town centre.

“The length of this closure and the unpleasant diversion route would never be foisted upon motorists in the same way. I am demanding the council think again – reduce the length of the closure and put in place a much nicer diversion route for visitors and residents of Abbey ward alike.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Thames ward, Jo Ramsay, said:
“It is great that work is now being planned to upgrade the tunnel, and not before time. As someone who lives on the Caversham side of Thames Ward and commutes by foot through the underpass every day, I have been shocked to see ceiling plates falling off and netting hanging down from the roof in there without urgent action to fix.”

“But 16 weeks is a shockingly long period for the tunnel, which is now a main thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists, to be out of action. The council needs to explain what work is planned in there and work with the contractors to minimise the time the tunnel is out of action for residents north and south of the river.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Emmer Green, Pieter De Boiserie, said:
“While I am pleased to finally see the council get to action on a crucial piece of infrastructure to aid vulnerable road users to pass safely into the town centre, it speaks again of Labour’s inability to get things done. How something like this can take 16 weeks and cost up to £400,000 is incomprehensible to many residents.

“On top of this, the slightest delay with this project will mean it will clash with Reading Festival and cause unprecedented amounts of chaos around the station. I urge the council to review this and try to reduce the time and cost of this project as much as possible – and create a better alternative diversion route away from the dangerous Vastern Road underpass.”

News

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

Published

3 weeks ago

April 11, 2025

admin

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!

News

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

Published

4 weeks ago

April 4, 2025

admin

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.

News

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

Published

1 month ago

March 28, 2025

admin

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.