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Working with local stakeholders, we have installed new cycle parking beside the village halls at Hampstead Norreys and Frilsham.
 The village hall at Hampstead Norreys is next to the popular 3km section of the Eling Way pedestrian-cycle-equestrian path that connects Hampstead Norreys with Hermitage.
We are working with partners to provide cycle parking at public amenities, following the Active Travel ‘Heat Map’ consultation. Other locations identified from the consultation that now have cycle parking include Yattendon Square and Cold Ash Recreation Ground, and we remain open to considering proposals for similar sites.
Encouraging and enabling active travel offers many residents an alternative for some or all of their local, shorter-distance journeys, in line with the Council Strategy priority of tackling the climate and ecological emergencies.
The Public Rights of Way teams have been out and about replacing gates and improving Byway surfaces.
 Every month, on a Friday morning, our intrepid team of West Berkshire rambler volunteers, install a gate to replace a stile on a public footpath. Very few have ever been cancelled due to particularly challenging weather!
Using the least restrictive principle, we try to install pedestrian gates (if needed for stock proofing) which are easier to use, but we do have to get the agreement of the landowner, and sometimes, particularly on roadsides, they prefer kissing-gates as an extra safety measure to keep stock safe.
It is a team effort as our Rangers carry out extensive clearance work beforehand, and they also CAT scan the site to check for underground cables, and deliver the materials to the site.
The Rights of Way team have also completed surface improvements for walkers, cyclists and equestrians on a Winterbourne Byway and in Streatley.
 If you encounter a problem with a PROW, please report it to us online.
Did you know, a scary 18,000 tonnes of uneaten pumpkins are thrown away each year in the UK after being carved! Pumpkins aren’t just for carving; the flesh can also be reused into many fang-tastic recipes for the whole family to tuck into!
For tasty recipes and pumpkin decoration ideas visit: Eat Your Pumpkin - Hubbub.
Once your pumpkin is carved and hollow you can use it for home compost, or it can be chopped up and placed in your kerbside food waste caddy where it will be turned into a soil conditioner at our facility in Padworth.
Aluminium and plastic coffee pods can be collected at both Newtown Road and Padworth Recycling Centres in West Berkshire. This has been done in partnership with Veolia and Podback, the pod recycling service.
All pods are recycled in the UK. They are separated, then shredded to remove the coffee, then the plastic and aluminium are reprocessed in the UK and used to create new products. Since it's launch. we have collected over a tonne of recyclable material which Podback will use in the manufacture of new products such as packaging, aluminium cans, car components, and garden furniture. Even the coffee grounds will be treated by anaerobic digestion to create renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver.
Please tip pods loose into the containers. Bags and other packaging must not be included. To use the recycling centres, you must hold a valid permit and book a slot prior to visiting Household Waste Recycling Centres - West Berkshire Council.
Newtown Road Recycling Centre in Newbury has scooped the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) of the Year Award from the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) beating competing short listers Harrow and Hertfordshire Council's to the prestigious title.
The Award recognises local authority-operated waste facilities that demonstrate high rates of waste diversion and recycling, excel in promoting sustainability, safety, and community involvement in waste management and recycling efforts. Newtown Road is one of two HWRC's operated within West Berkshire in partnership with Veolia.
The Awards team at LARAC said,
"West Berkshire Council stood out as the winner of the HWRC award for their forward-thinking approach to recycling and reuse.
"Their introduction of a Community Repaint area, coffee pod, and vape recycling initiatives showcase their innovative efforts to offer more recycling options. Despite seeing fewer visitors, the council successfully managed an increase in materials brought to the site, reflecting their commitment to improving recycling and efficiency. Their focus on creating more opportunities for recycling and reuse has made a significant impact, making them a well-deserved winner this year. Congratulations!"
Cllr Stuart Gourley, West Berkshire's Executive Member for Environment and Highways said,
"This is an impressive accolade and very well deserved. Apart from the obvious recycling services, Newtown Road offers so much more behind the scenes and is a strong contributor to the local circular economy. For example, resident's may not know that their 'top tip' is a keen collaborator with Newbury's Community Furniture Project (CFP) which allows them to accept high-quality furniture, bric a brac and bicycles, to be refurbished and sold at discounted rates or provided free of charge to those in need."
 To help get ready for a jolly holiday season, we are once again offering free bus travel in West Berkshire!
For a series of Saturdays in November and December, all bus journeys within West Berkshire will be FREE, providing an excellent chance to explore and enjoy various seasonal events and activities in the run up to Christmas!
Mark your calendars with the following dates:
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Saturday 16 November 2024
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Saturday 14 December 2024
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Saturday 21 December 2024
On these Saturdays, you can travel all day, any time, completely FREE (do check the timetables) within West Berkshire.
It's the perfect opportunity to shop locally for gifts, enjoy the festive lights, catch the panto at the Corn Exchange, dine at local eateries, or visit friends and family.
We have worked in partnership with our bus operators Reading Buses, Newbury & District, Thames Travel, and Stagecoach, along with the Council’s Connect Buses, to bring you this initiative over the festive period. Don’t forget, Concessionary Bus Passes are welcome as usual.
The Free Bus Travel at Christmas has been made possible by funding from HM Government, given to West Berkshire Council after submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
But that's not all...
Free travel extends beyond West Berkshire to our neighbouring areas such as Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke, and Swindon. If you start your journey in West Berkshire, your return journey is also FREE! But you need to request a return ticket from the driver when boarding to take advantage of this offer.
Information will be made available about the free bus travel offer at the following link https://www.westberks.gov.uk/transportchanges or transport@westberks.gov.uk.
 West Berkshire Community Connect launched in early 2024 connecting the Northwest Downlands area of West Berkshire with Newbury, it has been a success in providing an expanded service and attracting new passengers.
Building on this, we are pleased to announce that in November we will be launching a new operating area connecting select villages in West Berkshire with Thatcham and the A4 between Thatcham and Theale - The Thatcham Connect.
The new operating area replaces the 41 and 44 services and will operate Monday to Friday, but not on bank holidays.
- You will be able to choose where you'd like to go and when, and we'll plan a journey to suit you!
- Trips need to be pre-booked via the passenger App, by telephone, or by email.
- To compliment the on-demand service there will be some timetabled bus services connecting to Thatcham Broadway and Sainsburys in Calcot.
Further information will be made available on West Berkshire Community Connect: On-demand Transport - West Berkshire Council.
This exciting extension to West Berkshire Community Connect has been made possible by funding from HM Government, given to West Berkshire Council after submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
P.S. Say Hello to Jam Buster, our new Community Connect bus. Chloe from The Willows Primary School won our competition with her creative name for the bus linking Northwest Downlands to Newbury - meet Jam Buster!
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Did you know that a ‘Toucan’ crossing allows considerate shared use by cyclists as well pedestrians?
In parallel with replacing the signal controller, lights and equipment at a signal-controlled crossing on B4009 Shaw Road, Newbury, the Council took the opportunity to upgrade the crossing to a ‘Toucan’ type.
The crossing, at the junction with Kiln Road and Church Road, is heavily used by students walking, wheeling and cycling to Trinity School as well for local access including to Shaw House.
Working with traffic signals contractor Yunex and highways contractor Volker Highways, we designed and delivered an upgrade to a signal-controlled crossing and improvements to shared paths on either side including tactile paving to assist people with impaired vision.
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We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Greenham Trust, the Canal and River Trust and Sustrans, to pursue opportunities for access improvements to the Kennet and Avon towpath through the District.
In September a meeting was held at Padworth Village Hall, hosted by Sustrans. A range of stakeholders from the local area were briefed on the “Reimagining the Kennet & Avon” programme. This bold initiative aims to deliver, in stages as resources allow, six projects making the Kennet & Avon towpath more accessible across the District, so that we can all share and enjoy the waterside environment.
Working together and with valued input from other organisations such as local cycle group West Berkshire Spokes, the partners have already delivered:
- 1.7km of upgraded, surfaced towpath in Newbury
- 700 metres of improved route east of Thatcham
- 2.4km widened, resurfaced towpath by Aldermaston Wharf and Ufton Lane
- 1.25km of resurfaced route between Burghfield and Calcot
- 380 metres of reconstructed waterside path between Burghfield and the waterside near the Cunning Man.
The partnership is agreed on the need to take a holistic approach in developing proposals for the waterside improvements. Their key considerations include:
- The sensitivity of the waterside environment and its ecology
- Making the towpath more robust and fit for the purposes it serves, giving access for anglers, boaters, considerate cyclists using National Cycle Network Route 4 and walkers with differing levels of mobility, plus, for relaxation.
- Opportunities to reduce risks associated with flooding
- Opportunities to boost the economic vitality of towns and villages on route, tying in with Town Centre Strategies and local objectives
- Heritage, reflecting the importance of the canal as a historic transport route for goods, coupled with multiple heritage assets along the corridor
- Interpretation and Wayfinding
For more details of the partnership initiative and how local organisations and individuals can contribute, visit https://www.greenhamtrust.com/canal/
Since October, drivers can charge their EVs using two dedicated public charging bays located on the top floor of the Kennet Centre Multi Storey Car Park in Newbury! There are two 22kW sockets in the bays that sit alongside spaces for the Council's fleet vehicles and the popular West Berkshire Car Club's EV, operated by Enterprise.
Further EV charge points have already been installed in Hungerford Church Street Car Park and we are now waiting on the grid connection and energy supply contract before going live. For further Information visit Electric Vehicles - West Berkshire Council
You can keep up to date on our on-street and car park electric vehicle charging points on our website: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/electricvehicles.
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A great time to visit the Community Furniture Project in Newbury!
November is Buy Nothing New Month and at the Community Furniture Project in Newbury you can buy lots of good quality second-hand items including bicycles, furniture, books and bric-a-brac - a fantastic place to get started on your Christmas shopping! We always have a varied stock of great present options such as jigsaws, games, children’s books, mirrors, glassware, ornaments, lamps and pictures.
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By buying second-hand from the Community Furniture Project, not only will you be reducing your environmental price tag and cutting your carbon footprint, you will also be supporting the Newbury Community Resource Centre which provides services and projects which support some of the most vulnerable people in our local community.
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You can find the Community Furniture Project at Unit F on Hambridge Lane, Newbury, RG14 5SS (free parking). Opening hours are 9am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm Monday to Saturday. For more information: enquiries@cfpnewbury.org
The West Berkshire Countryside Society (WBCS) volunteers were out at the Discovery Centre, Thatcham carrying out a task on behalf of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to create a new wildflower meadow which can be used by local school children to get closer to nature. The Discovery Centre is a wonderful environmental resource created from old gravel workings with a magnificent lake, reed beds, fruit orchard and much else to enjoy.
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 WBCS volunteers spent a day cutting down tall grass in a small enclosed area and then taking out sections of turf to expose the soil, into which a mix of wildflower seeds will be planted. The hope is that they will germinate to create a wonderful resource for insects and for the pupils who come to visit the centre!
This is another example where West Berkshire Countryside Society is working to improve the ecology and diversity of habitats throughout West Berkshire.
Promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the West Berkshire countryside
WBCS volunteer work parties operate on Tuesdays throughout the year. The tasks include woodland and common management, coppicing, hedge-laying and hedge/tree planting. Do get in touch if you would like to join us or wish to find out more about getting involved with the barn owl group: enquiries@westberkscountryside.org.uk Website: www.westberkscountryside.org.uk.
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A wetland has started taking shape on the Sulham Estate, near Pangbourne. A 2 hectare, low-productivity arable field, which often floods, is being transformed into a permanent new wetland that will provide a home for a variety of native plants, insects, invertebrates and birds. |
Its creation is part of the Sulham Estate’s wider plan to transform 130 hectares of land into a wildlife haven and has been made possible by Mend the Gap funding.
The new wetland was planned by water experts Action for River Kennet (ARK) and is also part of the Partnerships for Nature programme, led and administered by the team at the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Partnership (NWDNL). The NWDNL published a Nature Recovery Plan identifying priorities to restore nature in the protected landscape. This is one of seven sites where conservation effort will be focused, kick-starting delivery against this plan.
Partnerships for Nature is funded by the government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Eco Friends West Berkshire are inviting all West Berkshire schools to sign up to the Plastic Free Schools initiative run by Surfers Against Sewage.
They realise that educating and creating good habits begins early in life and reducing single use plastic is a habit we all need to adopt.
The Plastic Free Schools campaign empowers pupils to make real changes in their school through investigation, finding alternatives and challenging polluters.
It’s a FREE scheme, with differing objectives for Nurseries, Primary and Secondary schools.
To find out more please visit our website : Plastic Free Schools | Eco Friends or email us at plasticfree@eco-friends.org.uk.
The Living Rainforest is thrilled to share some exciting news from their Amazonica glasshouse. Back in August, after generous public support helped to build a brand-new stream, they welcomed a group of Trinda stream frogs into their new home.
It didn’t take long for the new arrivals to settle in! The frogs have made it loud and clear they’re loving their environment. They’re incredibly active, and the glasshouse is now filled with their joyful song, bringing even more life to the rainforest ecosystem. Visitors can often spot our frogs basking on the rocks as they pass by.
With how happy and lively they are, it's hopeful it won’t be long before we see the next generation of Trinda stream frogs, (tiny tadpoles) swimming in the stream.
What would a good motto for Greener Greenham Group look like?
Perhaps flora, friendship, funding and fertilizer (yes, there’s been plenty of mulch in 2024!), or we might settle for beauty and benefit. We aim to make our locality more attractive for people and wildlife, and we enjoy the good outcomes for nature and our community.
This year we’ve made improvements to the biodiversity of our area by planting a neglected footpath verge with a variety of flowering plants. We’ve tried to use drought resistant and pollinator friendly species. We’ve thinned out and replanted some areas of snowdrops and primroses; we’ve learnt about pruning techniques; we’ve continued to keep our new hedging weed-free and to care for our young trees. This autumn we’ve planted over 2000 bulbs.
We’re very grateful for the grants we’ve received from the Greenham Trust, Greenham Parish Council, Veolia and the Englefield Trust (to name just some of our supporters) and the tools from Wickes. We are also pleased to welcome Greenham Scouts to join in our activities.
We hold working parties on the first Saturday of the month at 1-30pm. The activity and location can be found on our website. Everyone is very welcome to join us.
Our next Working Party is Hedge Planting at Audrey’s Meadow (at the end of Mandarin Drive RG14 7WD) on Saturday December 7th at 1-30pm. Contact@greenergreenhamgroup.org.uk
West Berkshire Green Exchange are holding their AGM on the evening of Friday 15th November, at the Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham. Mr Lee Dillon MP will talk at 5.30pm, and the AGM is at approximately 6.15pm.
All are welcome to attend - please email if attending wbgreenexch@gmail.com.
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