A Vision for the Thames and Kennet - Reading Borough Council

1IntroductionBackground to the studyReading Borough Council, TheEnvironment Agency, The Waterways Trust,British Waterways and Oracle Corporationare working in partnership to improve theriver and corridors along the Kennet andThames in Reading. These waterwayscontribute greatly to the character of thetown and are much loved features of thetown centre yet they are not necessarilyfulfiling their potential as places to liveby, to visit or to explore. This studysuggests a future for the waterways inwhich they become better connected tothe town centre and to each other andwhere they offer a wider range ofcommunity and recreational facilities aswell as living opportunities.On the Thames the study area extendseastwards from Caversham Lock to theOracle development at Thames Valley Park.On the Kennet it extends from KennetMouth by the gasworks, westwards toCounty Lock by the A4155 flyover. Thestudy area includes the wedge of spacebetween the two rivers to the east of thetown centre. It does not include thenorthern bank of the Thames or the landthat adjoins it.The Two RiversReading is very much a town of two rivers,both with different characters and roles.In the Middle Ages, the Kennet wasnavigable up to Reading by reasonableWithin a 1km radius ofatForbury Gardensthe heart of the townthere are over 6km ofwaterfront.sized boats. Smaller boats could gobeyond, and also use the network of smallstreams that ran through the lower part ofReading. These were used to transportcloth between the workshops, the dyeinggrounds and the fulling mills. Many ofthese streams have long since been filledin or have become drainage channels.In 1723 the Kennet Navigation wascompleted, creating a link to Newbury andin 1810 the Kennet and Avon canal wascompleted linking Reading and the Thameswith Bristol and in so doing beginning aprocess of urbanisation by its towpaths.Today buildings and public spaces line thecanal in the heart of the town and at theOracle shopping centre they create an areaof vitality focused on the waterside. Thewaterside becomes less urban as itprogresses eastwards and joins the Thames.The Thames by contrast is a broader riverlying in a flat valley. Frequent floodinghas restricted development on its meadowsso that today its banks are bounded byparkland landscape. Its riverside paths arecharacterised by mature trees overhangingthe water's edge and its open spaces bytheir long views back towards the town andalso out to open countryside. King'sMeadow in particular is a major open spaceresource for the town but is currentlyunder-used. This vision explores some ofthe reasons for this and suggests potentialimprovements that would increase its useas a recreational facility as well as itsecological value.reading waterspace

2Backgroundthe historic coreAs with many of our urban areas, Reading grew naturally in a location that offered an advantage in termsof trade, resources and movement. The town developed at a bridging point over the Kennet, beginning lifeas a Saxon settlement in the area of St Mary’s Butts. In the Middle Ages Reading prospered because it wason the main road between London and the West and was a convenient place to stay the night. Reading alsobenefited from the Abbey, which was built by Henry I in 1121-1125. The Thames was used for transportinggoods but the focus to the town was the Kennet.the railway townAt the time of the first census in 1801 Reading had a population of just under 10,000. By the standards ofthe time it was quite a large town. In the 19th century new industries grew up - biscuit making, ironfounding, flower pots. Industry benefited from the railway, which linked Reading to London in 1840 andBristol in 1841 and the town grew rapidly and expanded to both the east and west. The railway served theneeds of the town but it drove a wedge between the two rivers and in doing so influenced the way thatthe space between them has developed to this day.the modern townIn the late 20th century the town experienced dramatic changes. Manufacturing industries closed and werereplaced by service sector industries and as with the whole of the south-east, the town continued to grow atpace. The town grew outwards and placed particular pressures upon the countryside. New road infrastructure,built to service the town centre and across town movement further cut off the rivers from the heart of thetown. The residual spaces left between the railway, new roads and the Kennet were filled with retailsheds and office developments whilst the Thames corridor, due in part to the frequency of floodingremained largely undeveloped.reading waterspace

4The Thames & KennetTodayThe rivers are the very reason that Reading exists as a town and as the town has grownand changed so too the waterside has changed with it. Despite, or perhaps because ofthese changes the two rivers have very different characters - the tranquil Thames with itsparkland and meadows, and the urban Kennet which threads through the town’s streetsto its very centre. Understanding the character of the rivers and their relationship withthe town is critical to producing a vision for their future.The ThamesThere have certainly been development pressures placed upon the setting of the Thamesand surely if the town could have developed to embrace the area immediately to the northof the town centre it would have done so, but the flatness of its valley and its consequentsusceptibility to regular flooding have helped to preserve its character.Within its broad valley the Thames is a wide river that flows through meadows andparkland. Its riverside walk is popular with boaters because of its moorings, with anglersand walkers and with people enjoying time relaxing by the water. With its broad spacesand mature trees the Thames waterside has a tranquil quality that has similarities withthe other Thames Valley towns - Henley, Oxford, Windsor - and it enables those workingor living close to the town centre to find a distance from its bustle and to enjoy contactwith nature. It is important that the special tranquil character of the Thames watersideis retained. It could even be enhanced. The expanse of football pitches on Kings Meadowsatisfy the needs of a few but for the rest create a blandness and a lack of things to door experience. There is huge potential in these recreation areas to create something withdiversity that caters for the needs of all. Improved facilities may include a café, a fieldstudy centre, an activity centre and boating facilities. More use could be made of theriver itself with a water taxi and boat trips.In creating more things to do within the meadows more people will be attracted to usethem but it is of course essential to balance the goal of attracting more vitality with theneed to enhance the biodiversity of the area and to achieve these two goals we need tostart thinking about the meadows in new ways. The riverside walk itself is a pleasantexperience by day but by night may feel threatening. Certainly by improving the qualityof the riverside path and particularly by enhancing its lighting we can make the route feelmore secure but it is also important to ensure that more people are using the meadowbecause that in itself will add to the security of the area.connections between the town and the Thames will draw town centre visitors to the river andriver users to the town centre.Whilst the river runs very close to the town centre it is concealed from view. From the railwaystation the route to the river is dominated by a dual carriageway, by the railway line and bya busy roundabout. It is only when pedestrians get very close to the river that they can seeit. This route is not unduly hazardous or difficult (although it certainly is not particularlyeasy or pleasant) but it does lack legibility. The solution lies in improving legibility bycreating visual clues that suggest a clear route to the river. This should not be done just byimproving signposting (though this is important), but also by improving the quality of theroute so that it becomes somewhere that is enjoyable to travel through.The KennetThe Kennet, as it flows through Reading is, by contrast, a mainly urban river. It is enclosedby buildings and its corridor is largely defined by them, although in places the towpathbroadens out to form spaces, particularly at the Oracle shopping centre where a public squareis focused on the river. Some buildings face on to the river and help to give the towpath lifeand animation. Others fail to acknowledge the river, either by turning their backs on it orby having inactive ground floor uses. One long-term objective of the vision should be to refocusdevelopment as opportunities arise so that the river benefits from buildings that frontit and that have activity at their ground floors. Shops, cafes and public buildings will helpto enliven the towpath and to encourage people to use it as a promenade.The towpath encounters many obstacles along its route - road bridges, busy roads, changesin level, industrial sites and private land. One of the key objectives for the Kennet watersidewill be to improve accessibility. As well as improving access to and along the river wepropose an improvement to the quality of the towpath itself. At present many of thecomponents that make up the towpath are uncoordinated and degraded. There is anopportunity here to create waterside public realm of the very highest quality and in so doingto create a place that has a clear identity and one worthy of national and internationalrecognition. Lighting would be an important feature of this new public realm, not just tomake a place that feels more secure at night but also to add drama, animation and excitementto the waterfront.Holidays on the inland waterways bring thousands of visitors into the region every yearwith more coming to enjoy the superb walking along the Thames Valley Park. Equally thetown centre receives many visitors for its shopping and entertainment. Improvingreading waterspace

5The Holy BrookThe Holy Brook is a hidden jewel. The milling of corn was a lucrative business in MedievalEngland and one that Reading Abbey took great advantage of. Having access to a smallnatural stream the monks built themselves a strong stone mill, near the bustling AbbeyWharf, in the late 12th century. The ancient mill-arch still straddles the Holy Brookbehind Reading's Central Library in King's RoadAt present there is no sense that the public are intended to explore the Holy Brook - itschanges in level and the confused messages that are given about what is public and whatis private, inhibit pedestrian access. The Holy Brook should have more prominence, itreveals something of the town's ancient history and as a space has a unique character.An objective of this vision will be to open up the Holy Brook for public access and in thelong-term to address the issues of buildings that back onto it rather than facing it.Stitching it all togetherIt would be wrong to look at the town's watercourses individually or in isolation and weshould start to think of them as a network - not just as a network experienced from thewater by the boater, but also as a piece of the fabric of the town centre. In order toimprove circulation and connections we must also look at the wedge of land that liesbetween the Kennet and the Thames. It is in this area that we have an opportunity tocreate a new piece of town, that really joins the two rivers together. In this sense thewaterside holds the clues to unlocking a whole section of the town centre.reading waterspace

6The Character of the WaterspaceThe Tranquil ThamesThe Urban KennetThe Thames has a tranquil, leafycharacter between Reading Bridge andthe Oracle/Thames Valley BusinessPark. The corridor is primarilydedicated to recreation, leisure,relaxation and healthy living. Materialswithin the corridor are low key andappropriate to the rural riversidecontext. Much of the area is prone toseasonal flooding.The study area comprises a number ofdistinct parts:Kings Meadow - provides an importantrecreational open space. It is used forboth informal and formal recreation.The space is used by local footballclubs and for special events such as theannual firework display and a beer fest.The meadows provide an importantarea for flood water storage. The parklacks diversity of uses and is difficult toget to from the town centre.The Thames footpath - runs throughKing’s Meadow and along the riversideto the Oracle/Thames Valley BusinessPark. It provides a very important linkfor pedestrians and cyclists.The Kennet has an urban characterbetween the gasworks and County Lock.Buildings are in close proximity to thewaters edge and the public realm isdominated by hard surfaces.Parts of the Kennet waterspace are verybusy, vibrant and active. The OracleShopping centre addresses the river andthe variety of shops, cafes andentertainment attracts people to thewaterspace. The path along the southbank of the canal is well used by bothpedestrians and cyclists. TheKennetside is well used by local peopleas a link between residentialneighbourhoods and the shops, work orleisure facilities.Other parts of the Kennet areunderused. Buildings disregard thewaterspace, turning their back on itand creating places that are uninvitingand unattractive.The public realm is in poor condition inplaces and there is a lack of coherentsurface treatment, street furniture,railings etc.The Coal Woodland - is a wooded areabetween King’s Meadow and the KennetMouth. It provides a valuable managedwoodland habitat. The area has ameandering network of footpaths. Thewoodland helps to integrate Tesco intothe waterspace but the area does notcurrently relate well to the waterspace.Area between Kennet Mouth andThames Valley Business Park -dominated by gasworks and railway linein the west. Institutional parkland tothe west associated with the businesspark.The Kennet MouthThe Kennet Mouth forms the transition between therural characteristics of the Thames and thetownscape that dominates the Kennet. The area tothe north of the railway line is rural in character,however immediately to the south, the gasworkscreate an untidy, industrial entrance to the Kennet.Graffiti and neglect of the public realm add to anunattractive and unwelcoming entrance to Readingfrom the water.reading waterspace

7Relationship of spaces andbuildings to the river/canalbuildings & spaces that have aparticularly good relationshipto the riverbuildings & spaces that havesome relationship to thewaterspace but have inactivegroundfloor frontage adjacentto the waterbuildings & spaces that have a poorrelationship to the river/canalreading waterspace

8Relationship of spaces andbuildings to the river/canalexamples of buildings and spaces that have a good relationship to the river/canalOracle shopping centre• busy and vibrant with active uses atground level, attracting people to thewaterspace;• buildings and spaces face the watermaking it the focus of the development;• consistent surface treatment and streetfurniture creates a high quality publicrealm.However…• barriers prevent access to the water andthere is no provision for boat mooring.• footpaths step down to the canalallowing people to choose how close theyget to the water;• lack of barrier immediately adjacent tothe waters edge allows a closerrelationship to the water;• the avenue of trees and the railings/artgive Chestnut Walk a strong identity andcharacter.Chestnut walkBlakes Cottages• buildings face towards the water ratherthan away from it;• front doors open onto the waterfrontcreating an active frontage;• buildings of a good scale to thewaterspace, with diversity.However…• barriers and levels prevent access to thewater;• barriers and surface treatment appear‘shabby’.• rural riverside walk with closerelationship to the water;• moorings allow access to the river bankand Tesco for boat users;However…• little seating provision or places to stopand sit;• dark at night.Thames riverside walkPath east of Blake’s bridge• footpath close to the waters edge with nobarriers allowing a closer relationship tothe water;• seating allows people to stop and enjoythe space;• public art on the island creates focus andinterest.However…• there are issues with safety;• adjacent retail buildings do not address thewaterspace.reading waterspace

9Relationship of spaces andbuildings to the river/canalexamples of buildings and spaces that have a poor relationship to the river/canalHeron house• turns it’s back on the river;• unattractive blank wall with no active usesor interaction with the waterspace.• garden turns its back on and has norelationship to the river, missing an excellentopportunity as a riverside park;• currently prevents access along the river edge;• surrounded on all other sides by busy road;• limited use and lacks focus or identity.Kings Road Gardencan be improved by creating new entrances tothe east and west, turning the garden to facethe river and potential for new bridge to linkwith south bank.the gasworks• ‘scruffy’ entrance to the Kennet;• space does not address the river;• prevents access along the northern edge ofthe river;• high, imposing fencing creates anunfriendly and negative face to the river.• buildings turn their back on the brook makingthe place feel neglected and unsafe;• unkempt and uncared for space.Holy brookKennet walk• although the buildings address the river, thepath is separated and fenced off from therivers edge;• land between path and river is inaccessibleand appears unkempt and unmanaged;raises issues of balancing public access anduse with retaining/creating wildlife habitats.Kenavon Drive, between the railway line and theKennet• creates no sense of place with a poor qualityenvironment;• large unattractive buildings and layout whichprevent easy access and movement;• buildings near the river turn their back on itand do not address the waterspace.Industrial/Retail Estatereading waterspace

10Access, links and legibilityThames footpath and cyclewayThames footpathKennet footpath and cyclewayKennet & Holy Brook footpathareas that limit access to thewaterareas with poor legibilityroads that break the watersidefootpathphysical barriers to movement along the waterspacesteps that break the watersidefootpathreading waterspace

11Access, links and legibilityBarriers to access and movementalong the waterspaceA successful waterspace will be one that people can easily,comfortably and safely get to and move through.Understanding the existing movement network and legibilityof the Thames and Kennet will help to identify those areasthat currently inhibit movement within the waterspace andopportunities to improve its accessibility and legibility.The great divide - therailway lineOther barriers to access and movementThe Gasworksthe gasworks prevent any access along thenorthern bank of the Kennet between Kennet Walkand the Kennet MouthKings Road GardenThe garden has no access on its eastern or westernboundaries, preventing movement along thenorthern bank of the KennetThe railway line forms a major physical and psychologicalbarrier between the Thames and the town centre andKennet. Access across the line is very limited and the onlypedestrian friendly route is the pathway along the Kennetto the Kennet Mouth. Other routes are dominated by busyroads and roundabouts that deter people from exploringthe links to the Thames.The industrial/retail area between the railway line and theKennet also acts to limit movement between the Kennetand the ThamesHigh Bridge areabuildings and bridges prevent access along theKennet side. Pedestrians and cyclists have toleave the waterside path and cross Dukes Streetbefore rejoining the canal at the OracleBlakes lock areathe boat yard, the museum and private gardensprevents access. Pedestrians have to walk alongGasworks Road and Kenavon Drive beforerejoining the waterside footpath at Kennet walknear Selbourne Courtthere is no public access along the northern bankof the Kennet between Watlington Street andCrown BridgeBritish Gas social club sitethere is no public access along the southern bankof the Kennet adjacent to Gas Works Roadreading waterspace

12Access, links and legibilitybarriers to access and movementalong the waterspacesteps only access - places wheresteps prevent/inhibit those with pushchairs,wheelchairs or disabilities from gainingaccess to the waterspace e.g. Horseshoebridge, Crown bridge.legibilityBy ‘legibility’ we mean the extent to which a place is easy to understand and to movethrough. Landmarks, gateways, focal points and a clear identity all help people to find theirway. The function and importance of spaces and routeways should also be clearly definedto ensure people feel comfortable and safe. Form, layout and signage are all important inensuring a place is ‘legible’.busy roads - cutting across the riversidewalk and creating a barrier to continualmovement along the Kennetside e.g DukeStreet and Bridge Street.Horseshoe bridge - difficult forpushchairs, wheelchairs etc.Finding the river from the town can be difficult. This is partly as a result of a lack ofreferences to the waterspace and a lack of clear, safe pedestrian routeways to the Thames.dual carriageways - the A4155 actsas a barrier to easy movement from westReading to the Kennet.limited mooring and accessopportunities for river uses -there are no moorings at key destinationssuch as The Oracle Shopping Centre, riversidepubs, the abbey or the Oracle/Thames ValleyBusiness Park. There is limited moorings atTesco.feeling safe - the perception and fearof crime can prevent people using parts of thewaterspace. Issues including anti-socialbehaviour, graffiti and inadequate lighting allneed to be addressed.Bridge streetThere are a numberof spaces and routesalong the Kennetwhere it is unclearwhether they areprivate or public.This results inuncomfortablespaces and underusedroutewaysHoly brookpublic orprivate?which way tothe river??Holy brooklighting -lack of lighting makes somepaths and spaces along the waterside feelunsafe and too dark to use at night e.g pathfrom Newtown to Tesco, the Thamesside path.The 4155 flyover limits movementto underpasses and stepspath underbuilding to the abbeybetween Crane Wharfand Crown Bridgereading waterspace

13Existing uses of the waterspacereading waterspace

14Summary of Key Issues• the separation of the Thames from the Kennet and the town resulting inthe Thames corridor being isolated and difficult to get to;• the lack of diversity in habitats, uses and facilities in Kings Meadow andCoal Woodland;• spaces and building which turn their back on the waterspace creating aninactive, unsafe environment;• the unattractive and unwelcoming ‘gateway’ to the Kennet;• inaccessibility and barriers to the waterspace;• legibility and identity problems;• the neglected and under-used Holy Brook;• quality of the public realm is variable;• lack of maintenance and care of the waterspace;• diversity and compatibility of uses on the river;• lack of moorings to allow interaction between land and water and lack offacilities for boat users;• fear of crime/anti-social behaviour;• lack of lighting - the need to balance lighting with nature conservationand retention of rural character along the Thames;• a feeling of community ownership and belonging?;• habitat protection and creation - balancing habitat creation with accessand urban uses.reading waterspace

15The Thames and the Kennet in the future will be very wellconnected to the town centre and will provide the highest qualitylinks from the hubbub of the town to the tranquility of itssurrounding countryside.The rivers will be beautiful places for both people and wildlife.The Vision

16the 10 goals forReading WaterspaceTo achieve the vision for Reading Waterspace 10 goals have been identified. These goals are aspirational and include overall guiding principlesfor the waterspace as well as more detailed projects for particular, important parts of the river and canal. The goals aim to address problemsthat have been identified and to guide future change along the Kennet and Thames corridor.1the waterspace will be easy to find and movethrough6the highest quality public realm will becreated2all buildings, spaces and uses will face onto,complement and celebrate the waterspace7a place that the local community hasownership of and feels safe in will be created34the tranquil character of the Thames and thebusier urban character of the Kennet will berespected and strengthenedbiodiversity will be protected and enhanced89positive waterway approaches to Reading willbe createdKing’s Meadow and The Coal Woodland will berevitalised and rejuvenated5a diversity of uses on and along the waterspacewill be encouraged10the intimate and enclosed character of HolyBrook will be retained whilst making it anactive, vibrant and accessible part of townreading waterspace

17the waterspace willbe easy to find andmove through‘building bridges’ - innovative and colourfulbridges create landmarksBorneo Sporenburg, AmsterdamThe connections between the two rivers and the ease of movement alongthem are key to unlocking their potential as places of recreation and asroutes. One aspect of accessibility is legibility by which we mean theease with which people are able to orientate themselves. Routes to therivers should be legible. In other words the routes should be as directas possible and should contain landmarks that help orientation. Thereare places at present where it is unclear whether a path is public orprivate and this needs to be addressed. Signage and route improvementshould make it clear from the town centre where the rivers are and howto get to them. Allowing access along the waters edge is also importantto creating an accessible waterspace. There are a number of places alongthe Kennet where a waterside routeway is prevented by buildings orprivate land. These areas should be looked at to see if there are ways ofimproving accessibility.catalysts for regeneration, even destinations in themselves. In Readingthe rivers are the star of the show but new bridges can have an importantsupporting role as something of great beauty that adds to the scene.Connecting the Thames both to the town and the Kennet is a key factorin improving the accessibility and legibility of the waterspace. Therailway is a physical barrier between the Kennet and the Thames and newmeans of crossing the railway should be explored.The town should also be accessible to those who visit by boat and shouldbecome a popular stop-off destination for pleasure-cruiser and narrowboatusers. Increasing moorings and providing facilities will improvethis accessibility.There should be more connections across the rivers in order to create atruly permeable environment for both pedestrians and cyclists. A'Building Bridges' programme envisages a series of new bridges wherethey will facilitate permeability. Bridges have long ceased to be merelyfunctional connections. They have become important urban markers,reading waterspace

18all buildings, spaces and uses will faceonto, complement and celebrate thewaterspaceUnderstanding the way that buildings, spaces and routeways relate to theThames and Kennet is critical to creating the highest quality public realmand a place that people will feel comfortable and safe in. Buildings andspaces that have a good relationship to the water generally face onto,enclose and define the waterspace. They have active frontages that bringlife, colour and vibrancy, and as places they are easy to move through, wellused and cared for. Alternatively, buildings and spaces that have a poorrelationship to the water often turn their back on the waterspace and createplaces that feel unsafe and uncomfortable. These places become underusedand are often neglected and in poor condition.The uses of the buildings and spaces along the waters edge also have astrong bearing on the success of the place. For example, the gasworks,regardless of one’s own opinion about the gasometers as a landmark have anegative impact upon the entrance to Reading, because their site restrictsaccess and creates an unattractive and neglected face to the waterspace.In contrast, the Oracle Shopping Centre brings vibrancy and activity to thewaterspace through its ground floor uses and attracts people to come andvisit the Kennetside. All sorts of uses should be encouraged to recognisethe attractiveness of the river frontage. Pubs, cafes and restaurants facingonto the river/canal would create an active waterspace that would bewell used in the evenings as well as the day.In the short term there is little scope for addressing the issue of howbuildings relate to the waterspace as most of the developable sites havealready been built upon. Nevertheless buildings that have a poorrelationship to the waterspace should be identified and as these sitesbecome available for redevelopment, the opportunity must be grasped todo so positively. Imaginatively designed and diverse architecture andpublic spaces will enhance the Thames and Kennet and create a placethat people will want to stop and enjoy.The vision for the Reading waterspace is to create a place that is ofnational and international importance. Architecture, design and publicopen spaces along the Thames and Kennet must support this highaspiration if the waterspace is to be a success.reading waterspace

19the tranquil character of the Thamesand the busier urban character of theKennet will be respected andstrengthenedThe Thames and Kennet within the study area have distinctlydifferent characters and this diversity should be recognised andcelebrated.The Thames corridor should retain its tranquil and 'leafy'character and its value for recreation, leisure and relaxationshould be enhanced. The biodiversity of the Thames corridorshould be improved through a change in the existingmanagement regime and the creation of a wider range ofhabitats. Uses and facilities should also be diversified withinthe Thames waterspace to provide a greater variety of leisureactivities. Paving, railings and street furniture should beappropriate for the parkland setting.The Kennet should be enhanced to strengthen its urban contextwithin the study area. This does not mean building on allavailable land but combining spaces and buildings to create atownscape that is beautiful, easy to move through and whichhas a diversity, vibrancy and identity which will be the envy ofany European town or city. Encouraging buildings to face ontothe waterspace and active frontages and uses along the Kennet,such as pubs, restaurants, theatre and cinemas will enhance theactivity and life along the waterspace. The design andarrangement of spaces and buildings along the Kennetsideshould support the vision for creating a high quality urbanenvironment.reading waterspace

20biodiversity will beprotected and enhancedThe aim must be to increase the variety of plant and animal life alongthe Thames and Kennet. Biodiversity should be enhanced for its ownsake but it also helps to create a place where people can interact withand enjoy the natural environment. Kingfishers, water voles, bats,sandmartins, herons and swans are just a small number of species thatcurrently inhabit the waterspace and attempts are already being madeto attract otters and other species into Reading’s waterways.The urban nature of the Kennet means that it does not have a widediversity of natural habitats and fauna. An ecological survey of theKennet was carried out in 1995 and highlighted the low ecologicalconservation value and potential within the study area. Suggestedimprovements to the wildlife potential of the Kennet include theintroduction of berms along some banks, the creation of artificialotter holts and boxes or holes for birds and bats and clearing up litterand debris from the water. The Kennet is however, an urban waterwayand the high quality urban environment to which the vision aspiresshould not be compromised by strips of ‘scruffy’, ill consideredplanting along the sides of the channel. An innovative and creativeresponse to increasing biodiversity must be devised that willencourage wildlife whilst retaining the high quality urban nature ofthe Kennet.The Thames and the Kennet Mouth has a greater scope for habitatcreation and increased biodiversity. Appropriate management ofthese areas will create a rural space, rich in wildlife, where people willcome to relax and enjoy the tranquil and ‘natural’ surroundings.reading waterspace

21a diversity of uses on and along thewaterspace will be encouragednationally. If the waterspace is to be successful then it must attract awide range of people. This can only be achieved through creating abeautiful setting and providing facilities, activities and easy access.Providing facilities for boat users and moorings at key locations allowsboat users to stop and enjoy Reading and bring colour and activity tothe waters edge. However, the waterways should not only be consideredas a tourist or leisure attraction. They can provide an easy andattractive way for locals to get to work, the shops or other facilities.Developing the river and canal as a sustainable transport link could helpto alleviate congestion on the roads and breath new life into the Kennetand Thames. People at the Oracle/Thames Valley Business Park couldjump onto the regular river bus service at lunch time and pop into Tescoto shop or go to the Oracle shopping centre for a sandwich - anattractive, uncongested and enjoyable way to travel about Reading.Copenhagen - a vibrant and colourful waterspaceDiversifying uses on and adjacent to the waterspace will create a vibrant,active waterspace that is attractive to everybody. A diverse waterspaceshould cater for both visitors and local people of all ages and backgrounds.Events and activities on or next to the waterspace will attract people tothe water and create exciting places to be. Festivals, parties and boatracing can all help to raise the profile of the waterspace locally andMaintenance of the river is important to making a place that people canand will want to use. The channels should remain navigable in order toallow the diversity of boat life.Attractive lighting will be key to allowing the waterspace to function inthe evening and night. The waterspace should be an active, colourfuland safe place with a diversity of activities in the evening as well asthrough the day.Providing places to fish along the Kennet, improving the cycle andfootpath networks, encouraging canoeing and watersports, diversifyingnatural habitats and staging events and activities are just a few waysthat diversification of the waterspace can be achieved.reading waterspace

22the highest quality publicrealm will be createdThe public realm is that part of the waterspace which is open toeverybody at no cost. It includes the streets, footpaths, parks andpublic buildings and provides the setting for everyday life outside ofthe home.Creating the highest quality public realm is critical to making awaterspace that is coherent, rich and beautiful. The arrangement ofpaving, street furniture, lighting and planting, the way the spaces areinterlinked and used, the way it is overlooked and orientation andmicroclimate are all key to a successful place. Materials andworkmanship should be of the highest possible quality and attentionto detail makes a place that is unique and rich. Management andmaintenance is also vital to keeping the public realm an attractiveplace that people will feel safe and comfortable in.It is important that the public realm along the waterspace isconsidered as a whole, so as to avoid piece-meal treatment of therouteways and spaces. A lack of an overall and deliverable vision forthe public realm is evident along the Kennetside with a clutter ofdifferent bollards, paving materials and lighting columns related toindividual development blocks. Having an overall strategy for thewaterspace does not mean that everything would be the same but thatthere will be common themes and treatments throughout thewaterspace that will tie it together and provide a strong identity andsense of place. The baseline for any public realm masterplan must besimplicity of design, robustness and the use of high quality materialsthroughout.reading waterspace

23a place that the local communityhas ownership of and feels safein will be createdAlthough Reading Waterspace is to be a place of renown and internationalrecognition it must still be a place for the local community, a place thatthey have ownership of and feel safe in. Ensuring that the localcommunity do not feel excluded from the waterspace is essential to thevitality and life of the Thames and Kennet.The consultation process carried out as part of this visioning document hasencouraged the local community to express their views and vision for thewaterspace. Continuing community participation in the design processthrough to implementation will ensure that local people retain theirownership of the space.Spaces and facilities should be provided within the waterspace that caterfor all within the community. Public spaces and buildings which mightinclude pubs, cafes, shops, library, cinema and community centres shouldbe encouraged along the Kennetside in order to provide meeting places andcentres within the communities. The waterspace must be easily accessibleto the surrounding neighbourhoods, including those with pushchairs andwheelchairs.People should be allowed to adapt their environment and their ownpersonal space. This often helps to create places that are colourful andactive and which the local people feel belong to them. Creating a highquality public realm and a waterspace with a strong identity will allow thecommunity to feel pride in their neighbourhood.The fear of crime and anti-social behaviour discourages both visitors andthe local community from using the waterspace, especially at night.Cleaning up the waterspace, removing graffiti and providing regularmaintenance and management of problem areas could be the first step inreducing this problem. The design of the waterspace should increase itssense of safety. Spaces and routeways should be overlooked fromsurrounding buildings and/or boats and be well lit. Attracting people tothe waterspace in the evening as a place to eat, drink or to go to thetheatre or cinema will also help to eliminate anti-social activities andcreate a safe and attractive evening/night life.Children’s play area inthe street - Copenhagenreading waterspace

24positive waterway approaches toReading will be createdEntrances are the first impression that people have of a place. Successfulentrances announce arrival and help to define the identity, character andaspirations of the place. The Kennet Mouth is the waterway entrance intoReading and is the first impression that boat users and pedestrians/cycliststravelling from the Thames have not only of the town but also of thewaterway route to Bristol. The existing entrance into Reading is dominatedby the gasworks and appears uncared for, neglected and run down. Therailway bridge and the Horseshoe bridge do provide character and a sense ofarrival from the Thames but there is great potential to enhance the entranceand create something that announces Reading as an extraordinary andexciting place to visit and live.reading waterspace

25King’s Meadow and The Coal Woodlandwill be revitalised and rejuvenatedKing’s Meadow is a very important open space on theThameside, used for leisure, recreation and special publicevents. Although the tranquil character of the park mustbe protected, steps should also be taken that will increaseits diversity, accessibility and ecological value. The parkis currently separated from the main part of town by therailway line which makes getting to it difficult. Dealingwith this problem will be key to the success of the park.The Coal Woodland lacks a clear identity but has greatpotential for becoming part of the waterside park. Italready plays an important role in visually integratingTesco and its car park into the waterspace. In the futureit could become more accessible and better integratedwhilst still offering considerable value as a woodlandhabitat.reading waterspace

26the intimate and enclosed character ofHoly Brook will be retained whilstmaking it an active, vibrant andaccessible part of townHoly Brook is a missed opportunity. It is a small area ofReading which has a very strong ‘sense of place’ and revealspart of the towns history. It has a unique character whichshould be embraced and accentuated. It could become a placeof creativity, art, sitting out, eating and drinking. A place ofcolour, vibrancy and activity. A place where you can get closeto the water, meander your way across narrow, beautifulbridges and feel part of the enclosed waterspace, right in theheart of the townA vision for HolyBrookreading waterspace

27The Way Ahead -A summary of the key opportunitiesThere are many ways in which the vision can be delivered. The sort of projects thatcould help to achieve our 10 goals include:‘The Promenade Project’creating a high quality, easily accessible footpath and cycleway alongthe Thames and Kennetside.The Thames and Kennet walk will be a routeway that is easy to move through whilstproviding places to stop and interact with the waterspace. Materials will be of thehighest quality and workmanship and will respect the rural character of the Thamesand the urban context of the Kennet. New footpaths or decking will be made to createa continual link along the waterspace. New routes will be at -north bank at the gasworks;King’s Road Garden;Blakes Lock Weir,High Bridge Area;between Watlington Street Bridge and Crown Bridge; andthe British Gas Social Club site.Wherever possible, routes will be accessible to all, including those with wheelchairsand pushchairs.Paths and spaces will be well lit where appropriate to create a safe route after dark.Maintenance and management of the Thames and Kennetside is essential to retaining ahigh quality, attractive routeway.‘Crossing the Great Divide’overcoming the access and legibility problems caused by the railway linewhich separates the Thames from both the town and the Kennet.‘Building Bridges’improving access across the Thames and Kennet.A series of bridges at key points along the waterspace where links across the water willimprove accessibility and uses:at Blakes Lock Weir;from King’s Road Garden to the southern bank - to make the garden more accessibleand open up the garden for recreational and leisure use;at County lock to link the open space to the northbank.‘More Moorings’providing places where boat users can stop, shop and enjoy Reading.New moorings along the Thames and Kennet should be considered at:The Oracle/Thames Valley Business Park;King’s Meadow,The Oracle Shopping Centre,riverside pubs/restaurants;Kings Road Garden;Blakes Lock Weir; andCounty Lock.Existing moorings such as those at Tesco and Chestnut Walk should also be improved.‘Sustainable transport’using the waterway to get aroundUsing the waterway as a means of transport should be promoted. The introduction ofwater taxis/buses should be investigated as a way of linking key parts of the waterspace.opening up the underpass between Napier Road and Kenavon Drive;new crossing at redeveloped railway station.reading waterspace

28Vibrant waterfront developmentscreating positive waterfront development and associated public realmthat responds to and complements the waterspaceAll development along the waterfront should respond to the waterspace and createpositive places. Key areas that have potential for redevelopment in a more positiveway include:the industrial/retail park at Kenavon Drive - to create a finer grained network ofpublic streets and spaces A mixed use development that has good connectionsbetween the Thames and Kennet and buildings that address the canal;Heron House;Queens Road multi-storey car park;Royal Court;80-120 Kings Road; andthe gasworks.Waterspace Wildlifeenhancing biodiversity along the Thames and Kennet corridor throughdiversifying wildlife habitats.create a rich meadow and aquatic/marginal habitat in Kings Meadow and enhance thewoodland habitat within The Coal Woodland;increase biodiversity along the Kennetside in innovative and imaginative ways. Avoidtoken areas of planting which look ‘scruffy’ and inappropriate for a high quality urbancentre.A new Approach to Readingcreate a new entrance to Reading at the Mouth of the Kennet whichannounces arrival at a special place.An innovatively designed landmark could make a statement that would help put Reading onthe map and welcome people into the town.‘Great Green Spaces’creating the highest quality green waterside spacesKey greenspaces that have potential for enhancement include:King’s Road Garden - redesign and regenerate to create a ‘green oasis’ in thepredominantly urban, hard Kennetside. Improve links to the garden to increaseuse;Kings Meadow - diversify uses and spaces within the park and improve thestructure to create a coherent park;Coal Woodland - diversify and enhance for both wildlife and as a public spaceRediscovering the Holy Brookto create an active, vibrant part of town whilst retaining the strong‘sense of place’ and identity.Creating a high quality, coherent public realm, accessible to all. Buildings should frontonto the Brook and have active uses that will attract people to the area. New linksshould be made to the Brook and existing overgrown, under-used spaces should berestored and utilised. New lighting should be introduced to make the area safe andattractive in the evening and night.Waterside Revelries:celebrating the waterspace.Organise festivals, parties and boat racing within the waterspace to help to raise theprofile of the waterspace locally and nationally. Ensuring that the waterspace provides abeautiful setting and providing facilities, activities and easy access.The following plans illustrate the projects described within this vision.Summary Projects Plan KeyExisting footpath and cyclewayExisting footpathProposed footpathsreading waterspace

29Caversham Lock to TescoOpportunitiesFrom the Station to the ThamesImprove legibility and links between thestation and The Thames Corridor -• an innovative design for the existingrailway bridge to create a moreattractive gateway;• open up views towards the river acrossthe roundabout;• improve signage and legibility.Kings MeadowRevitalise and rejuvenate King’s Meadow,protecting it as a green open space -• diversify uses and facilities. Considernew moorings, cafe, toilets and aninformation centre. Create greateraccess to the water;• protect and diversify wildlife habitatswithin the park;• improve the structure of the park tocreate a variety of spaces whilst stillretaining an area for large gatheringsand events;• create riverside ‘beach’ area.The Coal WoodlandContinue with thecreation of a diverse andvaluable woodland forwildlife and public space.Needs to have a strongeridentity.The Tow PathRemove railings andprovide places for peopleto stop and sit next to theriver. Consider the needand desirability forlighting along the towpath.Tesco MooringImprove andprovide moremoorings outsideTesco.New residentialdevelopmentRailway underpassOpen up the underpass forpedestrian and cycle use andcreate a link to the towpath.Crossing the Great DivideImprove pedestrian links betweenthe town and the Thames with anew footbridge at the redevelopedstation.Napier Road Car parkFuture redevelopment to provide acomplementary edge to the park.Public RealmCreate a high quality public realm along the Thames that is coherent and low key in character.The public realm should be well maintained to keep it clean and in good repair.reading waterspace

30OpportunitiesThe Kennet Mouth & OraclePublic RealmCreate a high quality public realm at the mouth of the Kennet that is coherent and has a clear identity. The publicrealm should be well maintained to keep it clean and in good repair. Lighting along the Kennet should allow the spacesand routes to feel safe and usable after dark. Consider lighting between New town and Tesco to create a safer route.Kennet Approach north of theRailwayHorseshoe BridgeThis characterful listed bridge helps tocreate an entrance to the Kennet. Thebridge should be restored and cleanedand the feasibility of modifying thebridge to allow access to pushchairsand wheelchairs should be investigated.Important gateway to Reading and theKennet.• enhance rich wildlife habitatsthrough appropriate managementproposals;• maintain rural entrance to theKennet.Cholmeley Road car parkVisually improve site if retained as a carpark. Investigate possible alternative usessuch as open space.New footpathCreate a new footpath along the westbank to create a continuous link.Kennet Approach south of the RailwayMake a statement that announces an arrival at a special place:• through agreement, tidy up and maintain the boundary of the gasworks tocreate a more attractive face to the river;• regenerate the public realm including the footpaths and the railingsIn the long term consider the site for a landmark development.reading waterspace

31Kennet Walk to Sidmouth StreetOpportunitiesPublic RealmCreate a high quality public realm along the length of the Kennet that is coherent and has a clear identity. The public realm should be well maintained to keep it clean and in good repair.Lighting along the Kennet should allow the spaces and routes to feel safe and usable after dark. Consider the potential for creating a closer relationship to the water where there are hard pilededges. Use innovative ways of enhancing biodiversity.Kenavon DriveIn the event of redevelopment create a finergrained network of high quality public streets andspaces around a mixed use development thatprovides views through to the canal andstrengthens north-south links.Redevelopment of the Museumand adjacent site• remove industrial sheds and createa new riverside open space;• allow public access along thewaters edge to link up betweenGasworks Road and Kennet Walk.Kennet WalkRemove fencing along the footpathand create better links to the watersedge. Access needs to be balancedwith nature conservation. Improvemanagement regime of waters edge.Kings Road GardenRedesign and regenerate garden to facethe canal. Retain the leafy character tocreate a ‘green oasis’ in thepredominantly hard, urban Kennetside.Consider a ‘green amphitheatre’Connect the garden to the southbankwith a new innovative bridge.Create pedestrian links on the easternand western ends of the garden.Investigate feasibility of creating anunderpass under Kings Road andWatlington StreetConsider feasibility of moorings.80-120 Kings RoadIn the event of redevelopment• develop buildings to face the canaland to have active frontages ontothe waterspace to create a vibrant,active waterfront;• create public access along thewaters edge.Heron House and Royal CourtNewdevelopmentNew BridgeNew pedestrian bridges tolink the southbank to themuseum and beyond tothe Thames.Links to New TownImprove links to New town.Create a high qualitycoherent, well maintainedpublic realm that links intothe new Kennetside walk.Avoid the clutter of differentfences, surface treatments.Improve lighting to createsafer places.In the short term introduce innovative art and planting to help integratebuildings into the waterspace. In the event of redevelopment the newbuildings should face onto the waterspace, be of appropriate use and haveactive ground floor uses.reading waterspace

32OpportunitiesSidmouth Street to County LockPublic RealmHoly BrookCreate a place of vibrancy and activity whilst retaining its strongidentity• retain and celebrate the arch and the enclosed character ofthe brook. Restore/replace the footbridges;• create new high quality public realm that is consistent andallows access for all;• improve links to Kings Road;• bring active uses to the brook to attract people to the area inthe day and evening. Introduce lighting to make the spaceusable and safe after dark.If the buildings can be redeveloped they should have frontageonto the Brook and maintain the enclosed, intimate and historiccharacter of this part of town.Create a high quality public realm along the length of the Kennet that is coherent and has a clear identity. Thepublic realm should be well maintained to keep it clean and in good repair. Lighting along the Kennet shouldallow the spaces and routes to feel safe and usable after dark. Consider the potential for creating a closerrelationship to the water where there are hard piled edges. Use innovative ways of enhancing biodiversity.Between Kings Road and the AbbeyIntroduce clear signs to make people awareof this walkway.Between Crane Wharf and Crown bridgeMake clear that this path is a public route.Improve signage and enhance the publicrealm.Bridge StreetProtect the trees along the canal side.Improve pedestrian access acrossBridge Street. Consider thefeasibility of an underpass.Queens Road Car ParkIn the event of redevelopment this area should be developed tobe of appropriate use for an internationally importantwaterspace and to face onto the canal. The developmentshould have active groundfloor uses.The Oracle Shopping CentreCounty Lock - NewBridgeNew bridge acrossCounty Lock. To be ofinnovative design.County LockInvestigatefeasibility forMoorings at CountyLock.Investigate the potential for shortterm moorings at the Oracle.Public open spaceMaintain open space and increase potentialwildlife habitats. There is the opportunityto add a small building (e.g. cafe, boatingfacilities) to give function to the space.High BridgeOpen up access along the northern bank. Improvepedestrian links across Duke Street.reading waterspace

33Appendix - The consultation processThis Vision was developed with the involvement of a wide range of local people andorganisations. This was done through 10 consultation meetings and 11 in-depth phoneinterviews. A network has been developed of over 250 people linked to the project. Theresults of previous consultations were also taken account of, for example the recent EastReading Safer Community project.Consultation meetings• East Reading Community Safety Project Steering Group• Caversham residents' groups consultation• Reading Borough Council Officers consultation• Woodlands & Waterways Forum meeting• Business Sector consultation• Consultation with representatives of Globe groups and the Cleaner Kennet Campaign• Open Consensus Event• Two Open Forum meetings• Kennet and Brunel Community Association meetingFour other interviewees representing different interests were unable to take part withinthe timeframe.The NetworkAs part of the consultation we developed a network of those interested in the project, orwith links to the Kennet or the Thames. At the moment, there are 259 organisations andindividuals on the database.IntervieweesSimon QuinTerry KempRobert PaiceJenny LissamanPeter CrawfordRita Nath-DongreDavid TurnerDai DaviesKate WoodNeil BlakeJim DunningManager, Reading City CentreBritish WaterwaysEaling Family HousingCouncillor, Earley Town CouncilChair, Kennet & Avon Canal TrustDirector, Resettlement Agency/LSP Board RepMD, Thames Water Properties/LSP Board RepSergeant, Thames Valley PoliceArts Officer, Reading Borough CouncilSecretary, River Users GroupPlanner, Wokingham DCreading waterspace