Reading Borough Council

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The Hexagon is now fully heated using naturally occurring warm water from underground, along with air-source heat pumps. Old inefficient gas boilers have been removed from the building and a ground-source heat pump system installed. Warm water which flows naturally underground is pumped to the surface where heat is extracted and transferred for use in the building. The cooler water is then returned underground. The system saves 158 tonnes of CO2 per year which is the equivalent of planting more than 2,600 trees each year. The new heating system is one of several improvements being made to the much-loved Hexagon which is heading towards its 50th anniversary. A grant of £2.06m from Arts Council England, supported by Council match funding, has already allowed the laying of new floorboards in the auditorium. New seating will be installed in the arena and stalls in January next year and the replacement of the balcony seating, fire stopping and drainage works will follow next summer. Meanwhile, construction of the new Studio Theatre is progressing rapidly and is on track for opening in spring 2027. Read more here: rdguk.info/tIWFp #rdguk

More than 50 students from five local secondary schools will be taking part in a mock COP31 environmental conference in Reading next week. While world leaders are gathering for the global summit in Turkey, local young people will be involved in their own UN-style debate in the council chamber in the Civic Centre. It’s the 13th annual Schools’ Climate Conference in Reading which will see students forming teams representing some of the many different countries attending COP31. The second part of the event will give students a chance to talk about the environmental work their schools are undertaking and then quiz a panel of local decision makers in a Climate Question Time. It’s a great opportunity for young people to explore issues around climate change and inspire them to play a part in positive climate action in the future. Read more at: rdguk.info/UPhIZ #rdguk

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Our gritting trucks will be out spreading salt on Reading’s roads from 7pm for the first time this season as road surface temperatures are expected to fall below zero. Take care if you’re out on the roads tonight. #rdguk

Gritting lorries could soon be on the roads for the first time this season with temperatures set to drop this week. The Council publishes an annual Winter Service Plan which lays out details of action we will take to keep the public highways as safe as possible when adverse weather hits. There are stocks of 900 tonnes of salt if needed, 48 grit bins are located around the borough and snow ploughs and gritting are available for town centre and primary pedestrian routes if snow is expected to lay for a long period. We would also encourage residents and businesses to think ahead and be prepared for winter weather. Read more at: rdguk.info/q6gT0 #rdguk

The Council has cut its carbon footprint by 76% since its baseline year of 2008/09 demonstrating that it continues to lead by example in the borough. Government data shows that greenhouse gas emissions across Reading borough have reduced by 57% since 2005. The most effective way of reducing carbon emissions is through lowering energy consumption, which the Council has consistently done. Compared with the estimated cost of taking no action, these reductions have delivered avoided energy costs of around £41.9m to date, including £6.5m in 2025/26 alone. Current decarbonisation projects include installation of heat pumps to reduce gas and replacement of fleet vehicles with electric models. Read more at: rdguk.info/dKH32 #rdguk

Restrictions on the number of houses of multiple occupation that can be built in parts of Reading without the need for owners to apply for planning permission are set to be extended by the Council to help preserve the character of local communities rdguk.info/fck6D #rdguk

Not long left now for voluntary and community groups to bid for pots of money from our Small Grants or Micro Grants funds. Deadline November 13. rdguk.info/fApX9 #rdguk

Work on the construction of a new bus lane in London Road (Sidmouth Street to London Street) will begin next week. The scheme will see the repurposing of the existing left-turn general traffic lane on to Silver Street into a bus lane, which will link to the existing northbound bus lane on London Street. The initial work will involve the removal of the build out directly opposite the Sidmouth Street junction which will require a temporary lane closure between Sidmouth Street and Kendrick Road until mid-November. A connected project to change the layout of Sidmouth Street is designed to increase capacity for vehicles travelling towards the town centre to reduce pressure on London Road. Subject to approval by councillors, a temporary layout will be implemented in Sidmouth Street before Christmas with a permanent scheme completed in spring next year. Read more at: rdguk.info/4k54D #rdguk

Reading Central Library has welcomed its 100,000th visitor at its new home in the Civic Centre. The doors of the new library only opened to the public in June and there has been a 79% increase in visitor numbers compared with its previous location in King’s Road. The library has also welcomed 2,700 new members, which is a 72% increase on its previous location. Around 42,000 books have been issued to more than 4,200 individual members with around 50% of them being borrowed for children and young people. rdguk.info/delnC #rdguk

Rivermead Leisure Centre has been named a winner in one of the UK’s most prestigious awards for excellence in the fitness and activity sector. The centre scooped UK Active’s Regional Public Centre of the Year South of England award against fierce competition from five other finalists. The new Rivermead Leisure Centre opened in 2023 as part of the Council’s £40m investment in leisure facilities and is operated by GLL. Facilities at the centre include an eight-lane competition swimming pool, diving and teaching pool, a 120-station gym, cycle and exercise studios, a six-court sports hall, children’s soft play, party rooms, café and full-size all-weather pitch. rdguk.info/niht2 #rdguk

As people change where they work and how they choose to shop, Reading Town Centre is also changing. The number of homes in the Town Centre is expected to double over the next 15 years, and as it grows, future success will depend on high-quality streets and public spaces for people to enjoy, enhanced routes, and a cultural and economic offer which is broader than traditional retail alone. Our consultation asks: what do you want Reading Town Centre to look like by 2040? ➡️ rdguk.info/h2V0S