EFFORTS to make council offices in central Reading carbon-free are underway.
Reading Borough Council has announced that works to make its offices in Bridge Street have begun ahead of construction of a new purpose-built library in the building.
Contractors have started replacing fittings such as boilers and coolers, which are set to be replaced with carbon-neutral alternatives.
Boilers are being swapped for air-source heat pumps which will heat the premises and provide hot water, which fall in line with the council’s targets to reach Net Zero by the end of the decade.
Contractors are also replacing the current air-cooling system at the premises, which is inefficient and has reached the end of its lifecycle.
The works will see the courtyard at the front of the premises cordoned off, though residents will still be able to use the front entrance on Bridge Street.
Visitor parking at the site will be unavailable, and those in need of parking are recommended to use parking bays in Fobney Street, parking at The Oracle, or Blue Badge spaces in St Mary’s Butts.
It is part of the larger plan to modernise Reading Central Library, which is being moved to Bridge Street following the offer of nearly £20m of cultural investment by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
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Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said: “We have got to the stage where we start to see the preparation work happening on site.
“Removing the old gas boilers is an important aspect of the project and the Council’s buildings becoming carbon neutral.
“Significant work has gone into the project up to now including applying for government money and creating the plans which are coming to fruition–we now have people on site starting the work to make this a fantastic community asset.
“The library will have a larger area for children and teenagers, as well as study and work desks.
“The redesigned reception will have an improved customer service area for residents which includes the ability to use self-serve terminals.
“These are modern facilities residents of Reading deserve and will use well into the future.”
