Author: Reading-On-Thames

Cemetery Junction – Ending the Gridlock

Reading-On-Thames, , 33 Comments

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Poor air quality in East Reading hit the local news this week.  The giant biscuit factory that once dominated the area has long gone.  In a town with minimal industrial activity, the modern culprit is vehicle emissions, and especially those from the idling traffic along Kings Road that has gradually deteriorated from a brief peak-time issue, to virtually ever-present.  In a town renowned for its congestion, Cemetery Junction is Reading’s flagship traffic jam.  A third bridge and investment in public transport are clearly the focus for a solution, but I think we should look closely at how we use our limited road space to keep things moving better.  The current situation is bad for residents, visitors, commuters and the environment, and I think we should explore other options. Continue reading “Cemetery Junction – Ending the Gridlock” →

Cemetery Junction – Ending the Gridlock

A look ahead to Reading’s 2017

Reading-On-Thames5 Comments

2017

A year ago I set out half a dozen hopes and expectations for 2016.  I think we’ve managed three out of six.  Let’s take a look at what’s been ticked off, and throw in a few extra things to look out for in 2017. Continue reading “A look ahead to Reading’s 2017” →

A look ahead to Reading’s 2017

Where Next?

Reading-On-Thames6 Comments

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Last month, Thames Valley Property reported that Next is to relocate from Broad Street to The Oracle next year.  It could turn out that 2017 is a difficult year for Reading’s retailers, but could this be the time to look to the future for our central shopping area. Continue reading “Where Next?” →

Where Next?

Towering Aspirations or the Height of Madness?

Reading-On-Thames17 Comments

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This year has seen a succession of high-rise living proposals emerge for central Reading.  Each seems to provoke a similar outburst of polarised opinions.  Here I take a canter through each of the plans, and examine the debate on whether we should be wary or welcoming of this new trend. Continue reading “Towering Aspirations or the Height of Madness?” →

Towering Aspirations or the Height of Madness?

Walking the Walk – Queens, Kings & Friars

Reading-On-Thames11 Comments

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Whether it be for Queens, Kings or Friars, it seems Reading isn’t very good at “Walks”.  This simple suffix seems sufficient to ensure failure – in Reading it’s a jinx.  Here I review their recent tribulations and take a look at plans and possibilities to get them walking tall.

Continue reading “Walking the Walk – Queens, Kings & Friars” →

Walking the Walk – Queens, Kings & Friars

Homebase/Toys R Us – Kenavon Drive update

Reading-On-Thames2 Comments

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There was a further opportunity today to see how the proposals are coming along for the redevelopment of the Homebase and Toys R Us sites.  The firm behind the plans is London & Quadrant.  They are a housing association, but do their own planning and construction, as well as developing for private sale (they presumably write and sing theme tunes too).  They do certainly believe in community consultation.  Having previously exhibited “concept” images in June, they’re back now with high-res CGIs and even a matchstick model.  I reviewed the proposals then and the latest plans are essentially identical.

Continue reading “Homebase/Toys R Us – Kenavon Drive update” →

Homebase/Toys R Us – Kenavon Drive update

Swan Heights, the Thames and a Tunnel

Reading-On-Thames, , 16 Comments

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Last Friday I attended a public exhibition at the Town Hall for revised proposals for the development previously known as Swan Heights to be built on the former BMW site on Napier Road.  Here’s what I picked up, and some follow up thoughts…  Continue reading “Swan Heights, the Thames and a Tunnel” →

Swan Heights, the Thames and a Tunnel

Station Hill – no news whatsoever

Reading-On-Thames, , , , 5 Comments

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The largely derelict Station Hill site was bought by John Madejski’s property company in March 2005.  Eleven and a half years later, progress has been painfully slow.  With no news on the project in months you can only imagine my excitement upon noticing last week that the website logo in the top right-hand corner of the screen had been updated!  Whilst the Station Hill developers are somewhat tardy at building buildings, in relation they’re positively prolific at building websites.  By now I should surely be writing a piece about gleaming new architecture?  In the absence of any bricks and mortar, and thanks to the little-known online gem that is the “wayback machine” internet archive, here instead is my history of the StationHillReading.co.uk website.

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Station Hill – no news whatsoever

East Reading MRT – widening the debate

Reading-On-Thames12 Comments

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This week I attended a public consultation on the East Reading MRT.  MRT stands for mass rapid transit.  The proposal is for a new link from the big Tesco’s on Napier Road through to Thames Valley Park, including a bridge over the Kennet.  A new park & ride scheme would be based at the eastern end.  The media have picked up some local opposition to the impact to the riverside, but I think they miss a bigger picture. Continue reading “East Reading MRT – widening the debate” →

East Reading MRT – widening the debate

The Third Reading Bridge

Reading-On-Thames, , , , , 7 Comments

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You can’t write a blog about Reading without tackling the longest standing local talking point.  Awful traffic jams on all approaches to the existing Caversham and Reading Bridges are the bane of lives both sides of the river – it’s not hard to see why more capacity is needed.  When it comes to Reading’s Third Bridge saga, the only difficult question to answer is for exactly how many decades this idea has been discussed and procrastinated: I’m afraid I can’t do any better than ‘many’.

Continue reading “The Third Reading Bridge” →

The Third Reading Bridge