Canal towpath to reopen for festive period
A PROJECT to shore up a much-used footpath by Reading’s waterways is to be paused for Christmas – and pedestrians welcomed again.
In September, Reading Borough Council announced a £720,000 project to strengthen and stabilise the Kennetside retaining wall structures.
It was meant to be a three-month closure between the Kenavon Footbridge, near Cholmeley Road, running along the Kennetside to the Horseshoe Footbridge, where the Kennet meets the Thames.
The work sees timber elements of the walls removed and the filling of voids created as a result of the wood rotting away.
A second part of the project will see the existing guardrail will be replaced around The Jolly Anglers pub with a taller equivalent installed to match the style of the guardrail between Kings Bridge and Blakes Lock.
This end date has been delayed partly due to a retaining wall collapsing and partly due to a contractor going bust. Volker Laser, which is undertaking the repairs, is unaffected, but the firm producing the railings has gone under.
The footpath is used by Newtown residents to get to Thames Valley Park and Kings Meadow. Long diversions are in place as a result.
This will be lifted for the festive season.
A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: “The canal path will be reopened by December 22, and remain open for the entire Christmas and New Year period to ensure ease of access for residents throughout the holiday period.
“Due to the collapse of a section of retaining wall, which will require additional strengthening, the path will need to be closed again in the new year to complete this complex additional work which requires sheet piling.
“Bespoke guardrail will also be installed at this time. We will endeavour to complete the works, which may run into March, as quickly as possible.”
They added: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our residents remains our primary concern along with ensuring we safeguard the future of this vital pedestrian and cycle route.
“The recent collapse highlighted how essential it is we continue the programme of retaining wall strengthening to keep Kennetside safe and accessible in the long term.”
writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter.
The branch of Signarama, on Basingstoke Road, closed in September. The sign creation firm is part of a franchise network, with the next nearest branch being in Surbiton.
Now, Harmon Singh Gaba has applied for permission to convert store into a Nisa Local, which will sell groceries, snacks and drinks.
In order for Mr Singh Gaba to sell alcohol from the building between 7am and 11pm daily, he will need a licence from Reading Borough Council.
Nisa Local is a whollyowned subsidiary of The Co-operative Group, with three other stores in Reading, located in Caversham Road, London Road and Wokingham Road in Earley. There is also a plan to open a branch in the former Just Tiles store in Woodley.
Comments on Mr Singh Gaba’s application can be made by emailing licensing@ reading.gov.uk before Thursday, January 4. All submissions are public.