Save the Bath Road Reservoir

INTRODUCTION
Proposals are being drawn up for the redevelopment of the Thames Water Reservoir site along the Bath Road. This development will be a mixed-use scheme comprising 110 residential units plus a significant amount of commercial usage.

We are asking for your support to prevent this development

BACKGROUND

The site is approximately 5.4 acres in area; isolated from human contact for over 150 years the site has developed into a haven for wildlife. A diverse range of species are present there, from deer and owls to badgers and bats, amongst countless others including several old and protected trees.

ISSUES

Our committee is not anti-development, and recognises the need for Reading Borough Council to provide sites for new housing in-line with central Government demands. However, we argue that this site is not viable and the proposal contradicts the definition of sustainable development. Development at the site would result in a tragic loss of natural habitat and wildlife. Reading is rapidly running out of green space our future generations seem set to reside in an area dominated by concrete, bricks & mortar.

The loss of this wildlife haven is the main driver for our campaign however we are also concerned about the other problems that this development is likely to create.

DECOMISSIONING/CONSTRUCTION

This process will take a long time, resulting in vast quantities of plant machinery and heavy goods vehicles to deconstruct and transport the materials from the site. This will create a major disruption to the surrounding road network and will have significant noise implications.

Furthermore, the development will result in several more cars along the Bath Road at a location already notoriously bad for traffic congestion at peak times.

More cars will also worsen the air quality. The air quality at the Bath Road/Tilehurst Road junction is so bad that it is within an air quality management area (AQMA). AQMAs are allocated where specific pollutant concentrations are in breach of national objectives set for health reasons in this case traffic is the predominant source of pollutant the young and elderly are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality.

How can you help?

Please sign our petition to register your opposition to the development.

If you are a resident in the local area, a road user already fed-up with the queueing along the Bath Road, or someone who cares about the conservation of wildlife we would greatly appreciate your support

Thanks in advance