A PLAN to relocate Reading’s police station to Whitley has been delayed by another year.
Thames Valley Police want to close the Castle Street station and move to smaller premises with reduced operating costs.
It says that to maintain its current base of operations, in the town centre, it cost £182,100 in 2021 for utilities such as water, gas and electricity – a monthly bill of £15,175, with costs increasing to £22,500 in January 2022.
Atlantic House in Imperial Way is to be its new base, and the force was due to move in in March last year, but refitting works were delayed when contractors Mida Construction went into administration in January 2022.
Willmott Dixon is the replacement contractor and it had been hoped the move would take place this autumn, however it is now expected to be next year.
The existing station could be knocked down and turned into housing, with developers S2 Estates launching a website detailing proposals for 260 flats.
A spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police continue to occupy Reading Police Station in Castle Street with both local policing and other teams currently located there. Following a marketing exercise, TVP exchanged contracts for the sale of Castle Street to S2 Estates in 2022.
“This sale is on a ‘subject to planning’ basis and S2 are currently finalising their proposals ahead of formal planning submission to Reading Borough Council.
“TVP’s intention remains to occupy our new base at Atlantic House, Imperial Way.
“Following the appointment of Willmott Dixon as the replacement main contractor in 2022, pre-construction activities have taken longer than anticipated. Work is scheduled to recommence on site by November this year; occupation of Atlantic House by those teams currently located at Castle Street is now expected by the end of 2024.”
The project to relocate to Atlantic House itself has proven expensive for TVP.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that the force spent £8,250,000 to occupy Atlantic House in July 2019. It then spent a further £3 million refurbishing the property.
