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Have a day out using our local bus services!

Our district is a wonderful place to explore by bus. Characterised by market towns, beautiful villages and exceptional countryside, 74% of West Berkshire falls within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

So why not take one of our bus services to explore the district and maybe go further afield into neighbouring towns or villages? Perhaps go out for a bite to eat, a walk or visit places of interest. Benefits of bus travel include:

• Travelling by bus can be more fun and less stressful than taking the car. 
• You can relax on your journey. 
• It helps keep costs down. 
• Know that you are contributing towards the sustainability of the bus service and the environment.
• Staying fit- the walk to the bus stop contributes to your daily exercise and dose of fresh air.

There are many bus services in West Berkshire that can give you a good day out.  Find out more about bus services for the routes 3, 4, Jet Black 1 and West Berkshire Community Connect Northwest Downlands service by clicking the button below. We will be adding other routes in the coming months so do look out for this!

Sign up to Council Tax e-billing to access your bill online

Did you know you can now opt-in to receive your Council Tax bill online?

E-billing provides a more convenient service:

• You will receive an email when a new bill is ready to view
• You can view bills on your preferred device and at a time which suits you
• It gives you peace of mind knowing where your latest bill is - and where to see a previous year's bills
• It helps reduces the amount of mail you receive through your letterbox

E-billing is also more environmentally friendly and saves the Council money on printing and postage costs.

Kennet Leisure Centre squash courts are back

The newly refurbished squash courts at Kennet Leisure Centre are ready for players to enjoy!

Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, now’s the perfect time to grab your racket, book a session, and enjoy the improved facilities.

With over 1,500 members of staff corporately, plus additional members of staff working across our local schools and education settings, we're one of the largest employers in the area. There are lots of reasons to consider a career with us - from the wide range of services we provide to the training and benefits we offer.

Current vacancies include:

• Family Support Worker (Disabled Childrens Team)
• Autism Specialist Teaching Assistant
• Corporate Gazetteer Officer
• Lawyer - Planning & Governance

What we did on our highways in 2024

A resident recently got in touch to compliment our response to their pothole report: 

"I recently reported several potholes in Heath Rd, Bradfield, which I considered dangerous and also causing damage to cars. The potholes have now been repaired and I would just like to thank you and say how impressed I was at how quickly you responded to me reporting them. I am very grateful for the repairs and the speed at which it was acknowledged, as are the residents in Heath Road and Stanbrook Close."

This got us thinking about what we’ve achieved on our roads over the last year. 2024 was a year of big numbers on our highways. We repaired more than 3,000 potholes, and resurfaced 42.48km of road, that's equivalent to the length of 422 football pitches!

Sir Gritalot certainly lived up to his name with 1785 tonnes of salt being used by our nine gritters last year to fight the frost and keep our roads safe. We also cleaned 17,592 gullies and 568 signs.

We’ll be working just as hard in 2025  to deliver services we are proud of for our residents.

Have your say – Kings Road / Hectors Way

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The new Kings Road Link Road in Newbury opened in August 2024, and this year we'll be moving ahead with the next phase of the wider project by consulting on implementing a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to remove the one-way traffic restriction from Kings Road and close off the road to through traffic, except for cyclists and pedestrians.

This new B3421 Kings Road Link Road, now known as 'Hectors Way‘ through the Sterling Gardens development, was constructed to provide a safer, more suitable, and higher quality route for traffic than the former route of the B3421 Kings Road and Mill Lane.

The effect of the TRO is to physically prevent through-traffic on Kings Road (except cyclists and pedestrians) and ensure that westbound through-traffic uses the newly constructed Hectors Way. The removal of through-traffic from Kings Road will reduce traffic noise and improve air quality in a residential street and reduce the potential for accidents by removing potential points of conflict between different road users. 

We want to know whether you support, hold a neutral position, or object to the proposal.

High Street, Theale lane closure for essential gas main replacement

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SGN gas main replacement work between the junction of Station Road and Hoad Way will now commence on Wednesday 29 January for a duration of approximately 10 weeks – SGN have delayed the start due to emergency water works in the local area.

This work is essential to provide a permanent solution for gas escapes and to  ensure SGN can continue to maintain a safe and efficient gas supply to residents and businesses. By replacing the old metal gas pipe with new plastic pipe, the risk of future gas escapes and disruptive emergency gas repairs on this section of gas main can be avoided.

Due to the location of the gas main being replaced, there will be a one-way lane closure on westbound lane from 6am on Wednesday 29 January which will remain in place for the duration of the work. 

This lane closure will mean no vehicles will be able to travel westbound (towards Pangbourne direction) along the High Street between Station Road and Hoad Road.  Vehicles can travel eastbound (heading towards motorway direction). A small diversion route will be in place for road users (see map).

More information can be found on the letter sent to residents in December here, but please note change of date as works will commence on 29 January, not 27 January.

Please inform friends, family and neighbours of these works. We thank you for your patience and understanding while SGN carry out these essential gas works.

We value your views on the decisions we take. There are several areas we are currently holding consultations on, including:

• Consultation on the Proposed Main Modifications to the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039
• Draft Prohibition of Driving Order (2025) on Bastion Street, Shaw-cum-Donnington
• Proposed School Term and Holiday Dates for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 2026/27

Have you registered your appliances?

Our Trading Standards Officers are encouraging people to register their appliances (small or large, bought, adopted or inherited). Registering will allow you to get up to date safety information, such as product recalls. Most brands allow you to register older models and second hand items too.

The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) have a 'Register My Appliance' portal which offers online access to more than 70 leading brands, with many accepting registrations of both new and older appliances even if you no longer have the receipt. In most cases, all that is needed for registration is information about the model and serial number.

Data shows that only one in five of us take the important safety step of registering an appliance with the manufacturer before installing it. Faulty white goods and household appliances can cause electrical fires which can pose a risk to life. While recalls on home appliances are rare, issues with the equipment can develop over time and a simple, free, in-home adjustment by a qualified engineer can ensure a longer and safer life for machines.

Find out more and register your household appliances here.

Museum Talk: The Early History of Compton

This talk by local historian David Peacock at West Berkshire Museum will take a selective look at the history of the Compton area from prehistory to the Tudor period, including a Roman pottery industry, the Battle of Ashdown, Domesday records and Tudor sheep-farming.

David Peacock has researched, written about and taught the history of West Berkshire and the Newbury area for many years. The talk on Wednesday 12 February at 7pm complements the 'Focus On Compton' special exhibition at the museum which opens on the same day. Bookings close at 4pm the day before the talk. Secure your place for £5 here.

Author chat with Olivia Kiernan

We are looking forward to welcoming Olivia Kiernan, author of 'The End of Us', to Newbury Library on 21 February, 1-2pm. Olivia will discuss the ideas behind her Frankie Sheehan series and her latest thriller, along with insight into how the book was created. This will be followed by an audience Q&A and the opportunity to buy signed copies of the books. Tickets are £5. For further details and to book online, please click here.

And finally...

• If you live in the Compton area, make a date to drop in to our Pop-up Library at Compton Village Hall this Thursday, 23 January, 10am to 12pm. Pop in to say hello and find a selection of books for you to borrow. Tell us now about the sort of books you like to read and we'll choose a selection for your next visit. New library members especially welcome.

• 28 January is Community Engagement Day. West Berkshire relies heavily on our many brilliant volunteers who help keep everyone safe and support our communities in an emergency.  Everyone can help, if you’d like to get involved, you can find more information here.