Reading, Slough, High Wycombe, Staines, Maidenhead, Windsor, Bracknell [Archive] - Page 2

NewcastleUniStudent

December 22nd, 2010, 10:50 AM

[QUOTE=reading general;69030533]^^ thanks for that. big huge unused space in the middle of those strees behind the buildings.i hope what little is left of the older buildings are kept which house smaller shops, rather than modern large units like the other towns in the thames valley, which tend to stay empty. shops need to stay independant and not clone town style.

in reading meanwhile,
planning permission for the station and residential development at green park (smallmead to old readin people) is renewed.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2084139_new_time_limit_for_green_park_station

don't see much happening in the next few years though[/QUOTE

In Maidenhead I believe there is Queen Street, which seems to have a lot of boutique shops if you will that are a real opportunity for something different. However what strikes for a town of such affluence is the poor quality built environment in the centre. It's a sad day is a Sainsbury's Superstore, made from what appears to be plastic, is the highlight of the town. There has to be a focus on really high quality new development, and mixed retail floorspaces like you say in order to turn the town around.

Frankus Maximus

January 10th, 2011, 06:33 PM

As part of the Christmas works for the Reading Staion upgrade a 1,000 tonne bridge deck was replaced over the Caversham Road, see YouTube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLncokuZHtk

For more info see -
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Press-Releases/CHRISTMAS-LAUNCH-PAD-FOR-MASSIVE-IMPROVEMENTS-TO-READING-S-RAILWAY-162c/SearchCategoryID-8.aspx

peterson

January 10th, 2011, 08:42 PM

Amazing video! Should get several more tracks on that.

The other bridge still has work going on. Looks like the platforms might be extended right over the road.

reading general

January 13th, 2011, 02:26 PM

Station Hill development bought out
from get reading.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/business/s/2085452_station_hill_development_bought_out

don't like the use of the word 'reassesment'. i fear now mr madejski is not involved people may go against changes, and it will end up shorter.
check the comments afterwards.

"Please put the bus station back to where it was...opposite the railway station"
natives are still on about a bus station lost in the 90's that the town bus company has never used. this station was for alder valley/national bus routes, of which 3 are left. add to which the main line bus route in town, the 17, has never stopped at reading station. a point always missed.
plans for the station show a terminating area on the northern side of the station which nobody has noticed.
other towns that have bus stations tend not to have other stops in the town centre so the locals should count themselves lucky that there bus stops 2-4 more times in the centre before leaving town. spoilt

"There is a very real risk that we make the same mistakes that we made in the area in the 1970s"
clueless

Frankus Maximus

January 14th, 2011, 10:35 AM

I think after the 50s/60s a lot of people equate height=bad, forgetting all the shorter rubbish that was built at the same time from car parks and underpasses to terrbile shopping centres. There is no reason that a new development which contains tall elements can't be well thought out and beneficail to the public realm.
It will be a real shame if the height is scaled back but I fear that will now be the case.

reading general

January 14th, 2011, 03:40 PM

people use the term 'tower block' alot when they are against height in buildings. this brings prefabricated hell hole block of flats like ronin point to mind. poor build quality and ugly. i do believe people against schemes like this never look at whats proposed, just instantly dismiss it because its tall. western tower currently on the site, certainly isn't a nice advert for tall buildings. but people who assume its replacement will be similar shouldn't get an opinion anyhow.

Rational Plan

February 13th, 2011, 10:46 PM

Consultation on an Ikea at Calcot.

http://www.ikea-calcot-consultation.co.uk/ikea-aerial-map.pdf

Frankus Maximus

March 16th, 2011, 06:30 PM

Thanks for that Rational Plan, there was a story on this in the Bracknell News. I take it the warehouses currently there are vacant?

Frankus Maximus

March 16th, 2011, 06:44 PM

The new Bus Station in Slough is coming along nicely:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3287.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3289.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3290.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3286.jpg

jeremai

March 19th, 2011, 10:09 AM

Cool! Thanks for posting pictures.

reading general

March 19th, 2011, 09:31 PM

that is a pretty cool bus station. saw it as i passed on the train yesterday. very nice. slough is on the up.

Rational Plan

March 20th, 2011, 11:41 PM

Next stage of Heart of Slough. One year of construction about to start in getting rid of roundabout and subways. New junction which will release land for new building schemes.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/infrastructure1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/newinfrastructure.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/thumb_office_developmentslough.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/thumb_masterplanslough-1.jpg

Rational Plan

March 21st, 2011, 12:19 AM

Slough Trading estates redevelopment. Now that the Bath Road is full of Offices the next wave is being planned for. Currently Leight road is a narrow road with a traffic light controlled bridge over the railway.

Over 20 years they plan is to build a widen the road, build a new road bridge and construct tow new plazas surrounded by offices, hotels, conference facilities and MSCP.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/image3.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/image2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/image1sloughestates.jpg

This planning application is a key element in achieving the wider estate regeneration and transformation. The proposals create a new entrance from Bath Road, leading onto Leigh Road which will be widened to create a tree-lined boulevard. The scheme now uses newly available land to the south of the Leigh Road Bridge, including areas along Aberdeen, Argyll and Ajax Avenues as well as Ipswich Road.

The proposals envisage a build out over a 20 year time frame, in line with the wider master plan vision. This will create 2 traffic-free plazas incorporating new offices; two purpose built transport hubs; two hotels; convenience shops; restaurants; cafes; a conference centre; leisure facilities; and a dedicated Skills and Training Centre, a core element known as Slough Aspire.

Businesses and visitors will benefit from modern, environmentally friendly buildings, more open space and a step change in transport choices, as well as enabling the Estate to play an even bigger role in the community.

The plans will help rejuvenate the wider Estate to maintain and enhance its position as a world-class business environment forexisting and new occupiers, in turn creating over 4,000 new jobs and contributing around £100 million a year to the Slough economy. SEGRO's vision remains firmly based on delivering in response to rapidly evolving business needs and requirements.

Frankus Maximus

March 21st, 2011, 05:31 PM

I've seen a number of new buildings go up on the Trading Estate but always in a piecemeal fashion - not heard of this masterplan before, it's good to see the vision.

Frankus Maximus

March 21st, 2011, 06:17 PM

Meanwhile, over in Bracknell:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_New Waitrose 1.jpg

Supermarket chain Waitrose has unveiled plans to build a new store in Berkshire creating up to 180 jobs.
The proposed multi-million pound outlet is earmarked on land between Millennium Way and Bond Way in Bracknell.
The scheme will be subject to planning permission but the chain is hopeful building work can start in April with its first customers by early 2012.
Waitrose said it would become the first new store to be built in the town centre for more than 25 years.
Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, said: "We have had a long-standing ambition to open a store which can offer a full range of products in the town centre and this provides us with the perfect platform to achieve that.
'Catalyst for development'
"This is an excellent opportunity to create an attractive gateway into the town centre and demonstrates our confidence in Bracknell's future as a vibrant retail destination."
The town is already going through a regeneration which it hopes will attract more shoppers.
Councillor Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: "If approved, the new store will help to deliver a key part of the town centre regeneration, bringing with it a state-of-the-art building and new jobs for local people.
"I'm sure the new store will be a catalyst for further development, helping to deliver a town centre which the people of Bracknell can be proud of."

While I welcome something happenging in Bracknell town centre, I'm not completely convinced by all the talk of kick starting the Bracknell town centre regeneration. This site has been vacant for three years now since they demolished the 3M annexe building and was earmarked on the masterplan for reasonably tall residential buildings (along with the footprint of the still standing and empty 3M building itself). It's good to get an anchor tennant on this site but it's hardly a town centre anchor (more out of town shop really).

Frankus Maximus

March 21st, 2011, 06:25 PM

Also in Bracknell:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_Bracknell Health Space.jpg
Bracknell Healthspace plans approved
Published 18 Mar 2011 09:30

■Healthspace plans are in
■Location unveiled for HealthSpace
THE plans for the £20m Bracknell Healthspace were approved by councillors last night (Thursday).

The centre, which will replace the existing Skimped Hill Health Centre in Skimped Hill Lane near the town centre, will be an alternative to A&E for minor injuries as well as offering a range of other health services.

The application was submitted by developer Ashley House, which has been working with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) NHS Berkshire East.

But concerns have been raised that the proposed 43 car parking spaces at the health centre will not be enough.

Councillors at the meeting were told that a car management plan would be considered at a later date.

Rational Plan

March 21st, 2011, 07:40 PM

New town council offices. Plan to demolish most of 30's civic structure for some glass cubes.

http://www.hlmarchitects.com/projects/disciplines/architecture/sectors/commercial/slough-civic-offices-and-associated-masterplan

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/sloughtownhall.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/sloughcouncilmasterplan.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/sloughcouncilmasterplan2.jpg

I assume they paid for all of this, by demolishing all the other buildings on site, putting the parking underground and cramming as many 4 and 5 storey office blocks on site as possible.

Rational Plan

March 22nd, 2011, 01:53 AM

A variety of schemes for Staines that are waiting on pre lets

WORK on a multi-million pound, six-storey office complex at the former Gas Board site in Staines will start once the owners have secured tenants, it was confirmed this week.
Invista Real Estate last month received planning consent from Spelthorne Borough Council for a revised 111,500sq ft office-only complex on the London Road.
The new-look building, which does NOT now include plans for a hotel, was designed by London-based architects Tate Hindle.
A spokesman for Invista, which also leases and manages the Elmsleigh shopping centre in the town, said it the first phase of a three-stage masterplan to include two more buildings potentially delivering an additional 100,000sq ft of office space.
Invista was seeking a pre-let agreement before building work starts and joint letting agents Jones Lang La Salle and Savills were busy promoting the development, he said.
Discussions were under way with a number of potential tenants and the team was confident that the revised scheme presents a compelling offer to businesses, he added.
Nick Howitt, of Invista Real Estate said: “Securing planning approval for the revised development is the next positive step in an on-going process to establish a new high-quality office location for the town.
“While the economic climate is still challenging, our decision to bring renewed Staines Central back to the market and pro-actively promote the development to businesses is a demonstration of our confidence in the new design, and appetite for quality office space in Staines

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/stainesgas1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/stainescentralcgi2-1.jpg

This is the new development planned for Majestic House in Staines.

Planning permission for one huge building on the site in the High Street was obtained earlier this year but the land was bought by new owners Landid and Rreef in January who have scrapped the plans in favour of a more open development.

The plans were displayed on Friday at a public exhibition in the former post office in the High Street which makes up part of the site.

In the new year planning consultants Barton Willmore expect to submit planning permission for the development - which would feature a mix of residential, office and hotel buildings that could reach 14 storeys high but more associated open space.
http://staines.stainesnews.co.uk/2008/12/change-of-plan-for-majestic-ho.html

Director of Barton Willmore, Robin Meakins, said: "The biggest difference is that the old scheme was a development that took up the whole footprint of the site but the new clients wanted to create a public square with a number of buildings off it.

"The feedback at Friday's exhibition was fantastic. The general view was that the new plans were an improvement."

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/majestic-house-new2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/majestic-housestaines.jpg

reading general

March 22nd, 2011, 11:14 AM

thanks for posting all that rational and frankus. certainly a lot going on locally.
not sure about the waitrose in bracknell kickstarting the town centre regeneration. a building based around the car doesn't really give the right impression of what the place needs. slough on the other hand have got it right by removing the pedestrian hostile area between the station and high street. this will make a huge difference to the feel of the place.

Rational Plan

March 22nd, 2011, 11:55 PM

Consultation website for a new Innovation business park linked with university of Reading

http://www.scienceparkconsultation.com/

A planning application for the first phase of the Science and Innovation Park (200,000 sq ft (18,580 sq m)) is likely to be submitted in early 2009. It is hoped that work will begin in 2010.

The University has estimated that the overall uptake of large and small space at the Science and Innovation Park would be around 3,000-3,500 square metres (sq m) a year.

On the basis of the site capacity of 800,000 sqft (74,321 sq m), the University estimates that it would take around 21 to 25 years to be fully developed (i.e. up to 2031-2035), if the above annual letting rates are achieved. Taking this long allows the physical building of the park to grow along with the growth of the businesses accommodated within it.

This would be a typical timescale for a science park. The first 200,000 sq ft (18,580 sq m) is expected to be in place by 2016, and effectively replaces the equivalent floorspace currently at The Manor Core Employment Area off Brookers Hill.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingsciencepark.png

NewcastleUniStudent

March 23rd, 2011, 05:08 PM

The basic plans for the redevelopment of Maidenhead town centre have surfaced today and on first impressions they look pretty extensive. It looks like it will incorporate a new public square, 21,000 metres of new retail (including a department store), offices and residential.

Link to developer site: www.KingsTriangle.com

Link to article: http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-20420-revealed-how-maidenhead-town-centre-could-look-after-152m-facelift/

Rational Plan

April 4th, 2011, 09:33 PM

Lonza to invest £16 million to expand a UK facility
Article | 30 March 2011 Print This ShareThis
Swiss chemical and biotech ingredients firm Lonza (LONN: VX) plans to invest £16 million ($25.7 million) to further develop the flexibility and capability of its Slough, UK biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility to respond to a broader range of customer projects and strengthen its global network of biologics development and manufacturing.

An integral part of the investment is the construction of a new 60,000 square foot building adjacent to existing buildings to create a Slough campus

Rational Plan

July 5th, 2011, 02:49 AM

Rational Plan

July 5th, 2011, 02:52 AM

Consultation on an Ikea at Calcot.

http://www.ikea-calcot-consultation.co.uk/ikea-aerial-map.pdf

Reading council agreed the plans to the Ikea Reading, happy with new road junction. West Berkshire is now due to decide on the 13th of july.

Frankus Maximus

July 8th, 2011, 12:14 PM

Reading council agreed the plans to the Ikea Reading, happy with new road junction. West Berkshire is now due to decide on the 13th of july.

My wife will be pleased if this gets the go ahead!

Frankus Maximus

July 8th, 2011, 07:35 PM

The new Waitrose supermarket under construction to the immediate north of Bracknell town centre:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3495.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3497.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3498.jpg

reading general

July 8th, 2011, 09:28 PM

thanks for the photos. that first one shows how pedestrian hostile bracknell town centre is.
as for the ikea, i can't seem to find anything about how the junction is going to be laid out. the sainsburys roundabout doesn't work at the moment with traffic, local buses and coaches fighting for space. i hope this is improved.

Frankus Maximus

July 10th, 2011, 12:54 AM

Indeed, Bracknell needs a lot of change. The Waitrose, while welcome, is not going to help kick start the regeneration like the council claim. Although the continued CPOs in the town centre over the last few weeks are hopeful.

LDN_EUROPE

July 10th, 2011, 08:44 PM

Any pics of the heart of Slough? The website (www.heartofslough.com) says the new road layout should have started in March and will be finished early 2012.

Rational Plan

July 11th, 2011, 03:07 AM

Frankus Maximus

July 11th, 2011, 03:24 PM

Any pics of the heart of Slough? The website (www.heartofslough.com) says the new road layout should have started in March and will be finished early 2012.

The last pics I posted were of the new bus station. I can confirm that the road layout works have commenced (and the resultant traffic chaos!) and will try to get some photos during next week when I'm in Slough. I'm certain that the new crossroads and 'boulevard' A4 will be an aesthetic and pedestrian permeability improvement but we''ll just have to wait and see when it comes to traffic flow.

reading general

July 21st, 2011, 09:13 PM

in reading. the thames tower, the former foster wheeler building opposite the station which is not part of the stanhope/sackville station hill plan, maybe demolished and replaced with a 25 storey building similar in height to the buildings in the current sackville plans (although the new developer for station hill, stanhope, is apparently going back to the drawing board again?! this will be the third design).
note that next door to this building, just to the south, was the proposed 100m radisson sas tower that was refused by the council.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2096656_thames_tower_in_line_for_demolition

radisson tower design behind thames tower
http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=5421
stationhill website
http://www.stationhillreading.co.uk/

so much exciting stuff proposed in the past couple of years but we still have a hideous welcome to the town. i'm losing faith in all this. still at least the station upgrade is moving along nicely.

Frankus Maximus

July 29th, 2011, 07:02 PM

New residential development in Woking - 20 floors! It's litterally 100m from the proposed Altura Tower site:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3502.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3505.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3506.jpg

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/img_3508.jpg

reading general

July 29th, 2011, 09:29 PM

^^wow. where did that appear from? thanks for the update.
whats the building called?

jeremai

July 30th, 2011, 01:36 PM

Ditto, reading_general! I only heard about this building about a month ago and was surprised to learn it had already been built! Thanks for the photos Frankus. I believe the building is just called New Central.

Is this Woking's new tallest? I believe Export House is only 15 floors, but possibly with higher ceilings?

Rational Plan

August 2nd, 2011, 06:10 PM

reading general

August 2nd, 2011, 07:45 PM

looks okay. could do with a better pedestrian route from taplow rail station though.

Rev Stickleback

September 10th, 2011, 01:29 AM

thanks for the photos. that first one shows how pedestrian hostile bracknell town centre is.

It would be an easy impression to make from the photos, but they don't really tell the story. The areas around the town centre are riddled with underpasses, so you don't ever need to cross those roads (and because they don't need pedestrian crossings, the traffic flows easily).

There are purpose-built footpaths/cyclepaths all over the town, but because they don't just follow the roads as they do in conventional towns, you'll pretty much never see them from a car. You can walk/cycle from one part of the town to almost any other without ever having to cross a road.

Unfortunately people associate underpasses with crime, and even though they aren't dangerous at all (Bracknell has surprisingly low crime rates) people just have the impression the areas around the town centre are a mugger's paradise.

I've no idea how the redevelopment will change things. We'll probably all be flying about in Jetsons' style jet cars by then anyway.

Maybe they should forget redevelopment, and just knock that part of town down and make it into a park instead. I don't think Bracknell is crying out for any more shops.

Richard_A

September 10th, 2011, 10:07 PM

The old Kodak tower in the centre of Hemel Hempstead has been converted...

http://www.livetheimage.com/

http://www.livetheimage.com/_client/images/gallery/The%20Buildings/architectual-details/KD-tower-seen-from-heath-park-hemel-2.jpg
http://www.livetheimage.com/_client/images/gallery/The%20Buildings/architectual-details/the-image-development-leighton-buzzard-rd.jpg

Richard_A

September 10th, 2011, 10:24 PM

High Wycombe... recent stuff...

Eden - shopping centre.

Nothing special, it's rather like a simple, unambitious younger cousin of schemes like Liverpool One. Nevertheless, it has improved the town centre immeasurably, depsite the old High Street suffering as a result.

http://www.kirkstone-re.com/images/projects/eden-1.jpg
http://www.heidelbergcement.com/NR/rdonlyres/1089EA0D-38A8-4D9F-96DF-6944D0898A3E/0/eden_centre_case_study_570.jpg

Bucks University...

It's an interesting building, at least for High Wycombe... very modern, very angular.... and... it's blue...

http://www.100percentdesign.co.uk/ExhibitorLibrary/2275/thumb_NDM_High_Wycombe_080_copy_6.jpg
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01886/Buckinghamshire-ne_1886304c.jpg

Nearby there is some new student accommodation.... fine... but bland... that same brown brick and white/cream style, complete with pissy small windows, that is everywhere now...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4706262858_86e65a9fb8.jpg

...there is more of it down the road in the form of apartments next to the Wycombe Marsh retail park...

http://www.elliottbrickwork.com/Admin/uploaded/Projects/wycombe_marsh_redevelopment.jpg

It's such an unambitious, bland style, it's amazing how it has become almost ubiquitous in so many our towns. There are architects taking a salary just repeating this stuff. For towns, well, OK... but for cities - it really has no place.

The town's Railway station is having 5 million spent on it. It's almost finished and, as a Mon-Fri daily user, I can't see where the money has been spent. There is a better concourse, a very cheap, steel frame car park and a nice new sign. Couple of bus stops. Not much else to be honest.

Richard_A

September 10th, 2011, 10:38 PM

Aylesbury's new waterside theatre is noteworthy, certainly for somewhere like Aylesbury... main virtue... at least it's trying to be just that little bit different.

http://www.finnforest.co.uk/Image%20Gallery/ReferenceGalleries/Aylesbury/Aylesbury1/_w/large_aylesbury_1_jpg.jpg

http://construction-manager.co.uk/client_media/imagecontent/19998098q.jpg

http://www.atgtickets.com/uploads/media/75/27102.jpg

http://www.aylesburyvaleadvantage.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/110321-theatre-statue-and-grass2.JPG

Richard_A

September 12th, 2011, 09:06 PM

Land Securities are proposing to demolish the Bishops Centre in Taplow. Currently its a pleasant jumble of home furnishing stores, unfortunately with both Focus and Habitat falling away it's abit short of anchors.

New proposals are to demolish and enlarge from 100,000 sq ft to 130,000 sq ft. It will include a small Tesco (30,000 sg ft).

Already the anti Tesco campaigners are up in arms.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/bishopscentretaplow1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/bishopscentretaplow2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/bishopscentretaplow3.jpg

It looks quite nice, no crinkly sheds for South Bucks, It's a shame if some of the independents can't transfer to the new centre.

I'd be sad to see the old centre go. I helped do a website for it in 2000 (long since replaced). Let's be honest, it's a bit shit. However, it's been there so long, and a couple of the independent shops there offer the sort of occasional stuff you can't find easily anywhere else, especially the art shop. And there are already a number of regulation retail park developments further along the A4 into Slough.

And yet another f****** supermarket? There is a Sainsbury's just down the road already isn't there? Perhaps only a few hundred metres.

I know Tesco is a UK success story, but Christ, I'm getting really sick of seeing them EVERYWHERE.

reading general

September 14th, 2011, 02:59 PM

thanks for the updates richard a.

station hill news in reading.
http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2099493_station_hill_plan_scaled_down
my view is that a scaled down average plan will result in empty buildings. twice now two different high rise plans have been given local planning permission only to stall. what a waste. local people in this town will oppose absolutely everything that doesn't benefit the car!

Rational Plan

September 19th, 2011, 09:30 PM

Just an update on Slough. The general Housing market seems to have picked up. Mostly small schemes, but all along the A4 I saw old guesthouses knocked down or bordered up for new low rise flats. Several family housing schemes were in mid condtruction and some just had their opening launch for a couple of luxury detacheds. It just suddenly seems to be everywhere.

It looks like new hoarding has been erected at the stalled concrete block of flats, East of Honda, and I saw some men working on new scaffolding and I think a different developer name. Also the abandoned construction North of Slough station looks like new scaffolding is going up there. Not sure on that one as the demolition of the old bus station is almost complete which has opened up the view and Slough suddenly does not seem so ugly.

The new crossroads is chugging along in time to finish for Christmas.

Another Hotel is springing from the ground near Heathrow on the Bath road west of the McDonalds near the Compass Centre. it's 5 storeys and massive.

NewcastleUniStudent

September 20th, 2011, 01:22 PM

I'd be sad to see the old centre go. I helped do a website for it in 2000 (long since replaced). Let's be honest, it's a bit shit. However, it's been there so long, and a couple of the independent shops there offer the sort of occasional stuff you can't find easily anywhere else, especially the art shop. And there are already a number of regulation retail park developments further along the A4 into Slough.

And yet another f****** supermarket? There is a Sainsbury's just down the road already isn't there? Perhaps only a few hundred metres.

I know Tesco is a UK success story, but Christ, I'm getting really sick of seeing them EVERYWHERE.

I know what you mean. I was there at the weekend and I forgot how useful some of the shops were. By the same token however it is apparent how tired the site has become. It is clear that it has seen better days.

There is no case for a supermarket on the site in my view. Traveling on the A4, particularly on weekends when the Car Boot sale is running, is often best attempted having accepted the reality you may never reach the other side. With a Tesco thrown in to the mix I can only imagine the chaos.

Additionally larger units are unlikely to be let by interesting niche retailers, instead they will be fodder to the big guns who take large spaces mroe readily. In addition this will damage the Maidenhead town centre redevelopment that is proceeding apace, as they will be looking for a similar quality and size of retailer I expect.

The Bishops Centre should either remain a small, broadly specialist collection of retailers, or be turned over to residential use in my view. Although South Bucks are responsible for planning in that area, Maidenhead should become the focus of development. With the guaranteed arrival of Crossrail there has been an explosion in commercial office development in the town, this will be enhanced by really getting to grips with the retail problem.

If the Kings Triangle development can compliment the commerciakl office developments occuring in the north of Maidenhead town centre then there is an opportunity to really improve the town centre of Maidenhead. It is an affluent town and surrounding area, so it should attract affluent customers if the quality is there. Putting in a Tesco and indentikit shops in the Bishops Centre will only hamper this.

On a final note, what a god awful Police station they've built next to the Bishops Centre. It's enormous and utterly out of character. Once the Olympics have finished it will be near redundent, other than a couple of Traffic Officers sitting around.

Rational Plan

September 21st, 2011, 12:01 AM

Some images for the Reading Royal Mail site north of the Station.

Indicative wider masterplan

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail4.jpg

Scheme itself is a mix of office, residential a hotel and a small amount of retail.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail5.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail6.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail9.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail8.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/readingroyalmail7.jpg

reading general

September 21st, 2011, 01:57 PM

fantastic update rp. cheers

Rational Plan

September 26th, 2011, 04:19 PM

http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4658/Work_begins_on_Wolsey_Place_.html

Woking Council presses the start button on centre refurbishment and extension

Woking Borough Council has started construction on the re-configuration and extension of the Wolsey Place shopping centre that it acquired in February 2010.

Retailer interest in three new units has been high with Pret A Manger snapping up a two- level 4,100-sq ft unit on a 15-year lease. Negotiations are at an advanced stage on a 7,000-sq ft two-floor store with a final unit providing 1,575 sq ft on ground floor with 1,000 sq ft on first floor remaining.
Councillor John Kingsbury, Leader of Woking Borough Council said: “The swift agreement with Pret and significant interest in the two remaining units demonstrates that Woking town centre continues to appeal to quality retailers.”
As part of the project the environment surrounding Wolsey Place will be significantly improved with refurbishment works planned for Mercia Walk, Peacock Walk and Town Square. Completion is expected by Easter 2012.
Green & Partners and Nash Bond are joint letting agents for Wolsey Place. CBRE represented Pret.

Rational Plan

October 10th, 2011, 04:30 PM

Update on Slough, new junction proceeds at a pace. I'm just waiting to see what the traffic is like once the roundabout is replaced with a traffic light junction.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1042.jpg

Hard to tell with this tower, but I did see neon strip lights switched on inside and some of the plastic insulation seems to have been trimmed back.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1047.jpg

Diggers have started for the New Station forcourt and pedestrian bridge

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1048.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1050.jpg

New Bus station

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1052.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1054.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1055.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1056.jpg

Old Bus station and multi storey in final stages of demolition.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1057.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1059.jpg

weeby-vuit

October 12th, 2011, 01:21 AM

Has anyone seen the plans for the new Tesco's Warehouse in Reading on the site of Fosters (M4 J11)?

Frankus Maximus

October 23rd, 2011, 10:57 PM

In your first pic of the junction Rational Plan, did you take it from the library?

Rational Plan

October 24th, 2011, 03:51 PM

In your first pic of the junction Rational Plan, did you take it from the library?

Yes it is.

The Junction is now open, and in off peak hours it seams to be operating much better than I expected.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1125.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/IMAG1122.jpg

Frankus Maximus

October 24th, 2011, 06:37 PM

I just missed it - I was in Slough on Saturday and the junction looked ready but was closed off. I thought the new layout might end up being a disaster, but I'm glad to hear it is running well so far. I'll be going through it at rush hour on Friday, I'll let you know how it goes!

NewcastleUniStudent

October 25th, 2011, 12:57 PM

Rational Plan

October 25th, 2011, 06:13 PM

Does anyone know how much space will be freed up by these junction changes? What are they planning to infill the space with? With the new bus station and the junction changes it looks a bit like a Tarmac and concrete wasteland at the moment.

From an earlier post.

Next stage of Heart of Slough. One year of construction about to start in getting rid of roundabout and subways. New junction which will release land for new building schemes.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/infrastructure1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/newinfrastructure.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/thumb_office_developmentslough.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/thumb_masterplanslough-1.jpg

Blue areas to be redeveloped

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/heartofslough1.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/heartofslough2.jpg

A couple of pics of the area, mostly demolished now.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/heartofslough3.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/heartofslough4.jpg

To be demolished

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/heartofslough5.jpg

One of the many problems of Slough town centre is, they demolished a swathe of the town to fit in an inner bypass, so the High street could be pedestrianised.

Also many buildings ended up having their backs (service bays) turned to this main road.

This plan starts the process of knitting the town centre back together. It will take the demolition and rebuilding of the existing shopping centres to really heal this scar and turn the A4 into a real urban avenue.

NewcastleUniStudent

October 25th, 2011, 08:13 PM

Frankus Maximus

October 26th, 2011, 11:54 AM

Oh wow, that's a huge amount of space. The area always did seem underdeveloped. Is it still at the master plan stage or are there detailed applications for the various sites? Sorry for all the questions!

Slough Borough Council approved the master plan back in July 2009 and since then has been working with the Homes and Communities Agency and Development Securities on the specifics.
These include designs for the new Bus Station (built) by Matthew Bedward of Bblur architects:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/busstationmodel1.jpg

A new community complex containing the new central library/adult learning facilities/cultural activities and performances:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/aug_library_cultural1web.jpg

Development Securities will provide office accommodation:

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/dev.jpg

I've also seen detailed renders of the housing to be built be the railway line (on Thames Valley Uni site).

jeremai

October 27th, 2011, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the Slough updates. That junction looks completely different.

I decided to just check on the web site for Altura in Woking and found the design has completely changed:

http://www.altura-woking.com/Images/exterior01.jpg
http://www.altura-woking.com/

It doesn't look nearly as impressive as the original design which had a Heron Tower kind of look to it:

http://www.rbiassets.com/GetImage.ashx/85315500640/commercial_image_ks26962_1.jpg

Frankus Maximus

October 27th, 2011, 08:31 PM

Definately prefer the old design Jeremai, would have worked well with the new residential tower just down the road.

Frankus Maximus

October 27th, 2011, 08:33 PM

some bad news for Reading, would have been a great boast for Green Park:

Green Park station plan hits the buffers
By David Millward
October 27, 2011

Plans for a railway station at Green Park have been put in the sidings.

Business park owner Prupim said the proposed station has been suspended after plans for a housing development in South Reading were scaled down.

Reading Football Club and tenants at Green Park have expressed their disappointment.

Reading Borough Council planners say provision of the station is tied in with permission for the Green Park Village development.

Prupim and developer St Edward submitted a scaled-down application last year for the 737-home village, which was given approval in December 2010. A separate application to renew permission for the railway station was approved at the same time.

A statement from Prupim said: “We can confirm that plans for Green Park station, Reading, have been suspended.

“The station formed part of the wider development strategy for South Reading, including circa 7,500 homes, which has now been significantly downscaled as a result of the prevailing economic climate.”

“PRUPIM’s overall investment in transport initiatives for the local area has delivered vast improvements through the M4 Junction 11 upgrade, the A33 Relief Road and the dedicated Green Park bus service. These ensure that Green Park remains well connected and accessible for those who visit, live or work in the area.”

Councillor Tony Page, Reading’s lead member for strategic planning and transport, said: “It’s not going to be acceptable for development to take place without appropriate infrastructure investment and the station has always been a priority for the borough council in terms of any increased development in that area, so we would have to discuss a package in its entirety.”

Green Park is home to a number of big name companies employing hundreds of staff in the park, including HSBC, Symantec Software, Quintiles and Cisco.

Nigel Townley, engineering director at Cisco, said a staff survey in 2009 showed all respondents would use the train to commute to work or to travel to London,

He said: “We obviously have a lot of staff who live in Reading or Basingstoke and the surrounding areas and the station would have provided another more sustainable way for people to commute rather than use the car.

“It is a shame that the station project has been suspended as this would have been yet another way to not only make Green Park more accessible but to continue to expand the sustainable modes of transport to and from the park.

“I am hopeful that when the economic conditions improve the project will be reinstated.”

Craig Mortimer-Zhika, spokesman for Reading FC, said: “We understand and respect the decision that’s been made, so as a club we’ll now concentrate on our very good bus links with the town centre every day of the week and all of our car parking options for match days, both on and off site".

NewcastleUniStudent

January 20th, 2012, 12:36 PM

A new £100m redevelopment plan has been unveiled for Maidenhead to compliment the Kings Triangle scheme. Along with the Waterways scheme also proposed it looks like over £300m could be invested in the town in the next few years.

Link to £100m scheme: http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/News/Areas/Maidenhead/Shanly-unveils-100m-plans-for-Maidenhead-18012012.htm

Link to Kings Triangle scheme: http://www.kingstriangle.com/

Frankus Maximus

January 21st, 2012, 04:18 PM

NewcastleUniStudent

January 26th, 2012, 11:54 AM

Thanks for that NewcastleUniStudent. I was aware of the Kings Triangle scheme and this new scheme will help to open up the waterway in the town centre - let's hope we see some movement soon, it's been a long wait.

There has already been progress on the 'Chapel Arches' development as it is now called. There is an 8 minute video tour of the proposals and they look significantly more developed and attractive than Kings Triangle, in render form at least. However those who are familiar with the architecture of Michael Shanly will rightly remain sceptical.

Link to video on Maidenhead Advertiser website: http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/News/Areas/Maidenhead/WATCH-Video-vision-of-Shanlys-100m-plans-for-Maidenhead-25012012.htm

Frankus Maximus

January 26th, 2012, 07:13 PM

Slightly reminiscent of what was done in Reading to open up the waterway at the Oracle. Lets hope we get all the green space that is shown in the video.

NewcastleUniStudent

January 26th, 2012, 07:42 PM

That's what I thought too. The architecture looks okay and there will be a couple of cafes, restaurants and shops. It strikes me that Maidenhead lacks a classy nighttime economy, perhaps this could rectify that. Given the demographics of RBWM and the amount of young professionals lurking about (me included) I would have thought that there would be a market for some decent bars in an attractive setting. if they are packaged in quality buildings along an attractive waterway then it could rectify this gap.

LDN_EUROPE

January 27th, 2012, 01:06 AM

Great to see the updates on East Berkshire. I particularly like the 'Heart of Slough' project. The Slough bus station is really well designed.

I'm also pleased to see Maidenhead town centre being extended. The drawings only look 'ok' but Maidenhead really deserves a bigger and better town centre. Maidenhead is a waelthy town with a larger population and physical size than its neighbour Windsor but a far smaller and less interesting town centre.

Any news on Bracknell? There have been plans for years for a redevelopment.

NewcastleUniStudent

January 31st, 2012, 01:42 PM

Maidenhead has required improvement for some years. I would say that the plans for Maidenhead are far more exciting than those for both Bracknell and Slough. Whilst they are seeing large investment, they do not provide a fundamental change to the environment like the Maidenhead schemes do. I also think the use of the waterways in Maidenhead has the potential to create a fantastic new space. The Bracknell scheme is progressing a very bit-part way at the moment, I'll try and find out more when I can. I remain particularly unconvinced on the Heart of Slough scheme however. Whilst a new Bus Station is all well and good all they are really doing is a decent sized development around a new crossroads. The high street remains appalling and the shopping centres mediocre at best. I must admit I avoid Slough like the plague - only changing trains there to get home and visit the family.

reading general

February 18th, 2012, 12:49 AM

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2108520_station_hill_redevelopment_plans_on_show_today

Reading's station hill 3 plans are out, although the website will not work, i went along to the presentation at the old town hall and i'm quite disappointed with it all.
unbelievably, the multi storey car park where the square was going to be is being retained and the buildings are of a lesser architectural style than the previous plans. the building height has been cut down too, as i predicted.
a missed opportunity in my opinion, of a perfect site for talls.
damn!

Rational Plan

February 18th, 2012, 01:40 PM

reading general

February 18th, 2012, 11:19 PM

^^spot on.
annoying because the previous plans appeared to slip past the people oddly against tall buildings in a town with no redeeming features. don't get me wrong i'm all for preserving what history my town has but its more a practical place than a beautiful place. But most comments on get reading(which i rarely read) and at the presentation are selfish. 'whats going to be there for me?' 'where can i park?' 'wheres my bowling alley/ice rink?' nobody in this damn town thinks beyond themselves, toward what future generations will make of the place. station hill can mean success for the town in a time of recession, but a watered down version like this means it could potentially end up being empty offices on what was billed the most important site outside of london.

peterson

February 20th, 2012, 06:07 PM

re Station Hill. www.stationhill-reading.co.uk

I concur with the general feeling of slight disappointment with the latest plans. But I think we need to look at the proposals against what is there now rather than against previous proposals. For sure, the new renders are shorter, bulkier, and more angular. And the link through to Friar Street was more whole-hearted. But unfortunately when it came to finding money to deliver the previous plans, nothing was forth-coming. With the benefit of hindsight, Madejski's company must have wasted a whole heap of cash getting previous plans to the stage they did without access to the funding to deliver it. Now they've got people on board who seem to have the resources to actually do something, and unsurprisingly they'll have insisted on a re-think. And now we're back to concept-level drawings prior to an outline planning application.

There's clearly a confidence in Reading as a business destination with the volume of office space still proposed - but this scheme feels overly dominated by office space, with the Friars Walks site feeling like an inconvenience - the architect conceded it would be built last. The uninspiring feature at the heart of the new plan is the retained Garrard St car park. In reality, this must be the only part of the site currently paying its way so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised they're reluctant to demolish it (and then provide alternative underground parking with expensive construction costs), The western end will be chopped off, and a couple of new storeys added (presumably keeping the overall number of spaces about the same). The car park will be reclad so it might end up looking 'new'.

Unlike previous plans, there's no attempt to do anything too clever with ground levels. The main problem with this site is how steeply Garrard St slopes down. They hope for alternative path into town along a covered 'arcade' (between the car park and the office buildings fronting Station Hill), left through a new 'square' (which is very small and enclosed by tall buildings), across Garrard St (retained for car access to the car park) and through an open street pedestrianised Friars Walk to Friar St. Small retail units will be provided on the ground floor throughout that route. But for me, unless you deliver that all at once, the first to arrive (the arcade) will be a road to nowhere and doomed to failure. Even at completion, the slopes down and up for that route into town would make it undesirable compared to the straight Station Road/ Queen Victoria St. And I'd question whether there would be enough retail in the new development to encourage a detour for most shoppers. Really it can only be a few coffee shops and convenience shops for workers / residents of Station Hill itself.

There was lots of talk of fitting in with the Thames Tower proposal (which is apparantly to be a 24-storey 90-metre office tower with increased footprint compared to the current site- I'd hoped for a smaller footprint). But there was no talk of fitting in with a potential new station concourse built out from the new station entrance. The architect at the exhibition hadn't even heard of that plan which I was dismayed by since it was the main thing showcased at the previous exhibition - we can only conclude that proposal is completely dead and the new arrangement of main station entrance severed from concourse is permanent .

At the exhibition, loads of people were whinging about the loss of the (defunct) bus station. Personally, I think it's clear that the closure of Station Hill has not caused the chaos predicted by the doom-mongers - in fact it's working perfectly well, so I think that argument is closed in favour of Reading not needing a bus station.

To conclude, it's good that something's happening with regard to Station Hill. They really need to add a little more space between some of the buildings. Providing an office core to Reading is clearly what this development is about, but if they could develop the Friars Walk site earlier that would really help it fit in with the rest of town rather than being an isolated development - I'm not sure they care if it is. They intend to build each plot to its own timescale when demand necessitates, and with the economy in a prolonged go-slow, I think it will be a long old time before this development is complete - shame it appears that four years have already been wasted.

PAKONE

February 20th, 2012, 07:12 PM

Frankus Maximus

March 5th, 2012, 06:16 PM

Some Reading news:

Towers planned for Chatham Place development
By David Millward
March 05, 2012

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/Chatham Place Towers.jpg

Tough economic conditions mean the latest proposals for Chatham Place are the best way forward, the boss of the scheme says.

The redevelopment of the old car park site was originally going to result in the expansion of the town centre to the west with the decking over of the IDR, a new central swimming pool and a large public square.

But visitors to a public exhibition on Tuesday saw the latest plans include just two blocks of apartments standing at 19 floors and nine floors with some tree planting and upgrading of surrounding footpaths.

Robert Poole, project director with Muse Developments, said: “There have been good discussions with the council trying to stay to the original vision of what the regeneration of the old Chatham Street car park was all about.

“Part of the development before always had a tall building on the Chatham Street roundabout so we feel this is staying close to the vision.”

Smashing through the ‘concrete collar’ of the IDR was a key ambition of Reading Borough Council when the regeneration plans were agreed with Muse in 2003.

But the decking over of the IDR and the resulting closure of two southern slip roads on to and off Chatham Street roundabout were scrapped in September 2010 when Conservatives and Lib Dems were in charge of the council.

Mr Poole said: “The coalition took a decision that they didn’t want to proceed with that given the traffic implications and the cost and viability aspects were also a consideration for us. So in terms of a way forward, this is a way forward that can be delivered.”

He added: “The swimming pool and decking over was part of the original master plan and that was all at a time which pre-dated 2008 and the economic circumstances we now all find ourselves in both as developer and council.”

The new £100 million proposals are for 184 one-, two- and three-bed apartments over two buildings with the tallest standing nearest the roundabout and the smaller block behind with retail space on the ground floor. A garden will run between the two.

An area of land on the edge of the IDR will be public green space and footways leading over to the town will be resurfaced to give a more joined-up appearance.

A lane on the roundabout will be lost to provide a wider footpath from Friar Street over to the development.

Bob O’Neill, who has campaigned for the reopening of the King’s Meadow Baths, visited the exhibition and mourned the loss of a pool on the site.

He said: “I am sorry that the development has managed to escape providing much of the public value plus extras that we were promised, for example, a swimming pool.”

Mr O’Neill was also critical of the proposed 19 storey building, saying: “I don’t appreciate the effect on the whole area of high rise apartment blocks. I do no want to see the historic Greyfriars Church visually crushed by a tall building.”

Mr Poole said comments from the public exhibition will be considered before a planning application is submitted in early April.

If approved, work should start at the end of the year or early next year with the first apartments complete at the end of 2013 and the whole project finished by mid-2014.

Frankus Maximus

March 12th, 2012, 08:20 PM

Futuristic flats plan for former 3M building 'ready to go'
By Hugh Fort
March 12, 2012

http://personal.rhul.ac.uk/uhaa/037/Comer Homes.jpg

An ambitious plan to build a futuristic block containing more than 300 flats in Bracknell town centre is “ready to go” and should be submitted in the next two weeks.

Robert Sheppard, senior engineer for Comer Homes, which owns the site of Winchester House in Market Place, said the firm is getting ready to put its final designs to the public.

The building is better know locally as the derelict former home of 3M and has been standing empty since the company moved to its current home in Cain Road in 2003.

Nine years on and the plans for the building featuring 311 flats, restaurants, shops, and a new area which would house Bracknell Market are being finalised.

An exhibition on Comer Homes’ plan for the building took place at the site in January.

Staff from Comer Homes need to tie up a few loose ends with Bracknell Forest Council before they can be submitted, but Mr Sheppard said the plans were likely to be submitted by mid-March.

The designs have been put together by SOM architects with the aim of creating a “gateway” to Bracknell.

If the plans are successful, the huge 14-storey 1970s office block, which is hated by local people, will be knocked down and replaced with the new building.

Mr Sheppard said: “It’s all ready to go.

“We’re meeting with the council later in the week to tie up the final legal aspects and then it should be submitted in the next two weeks.”

reading general

March 14th, 2012, 03:57 PM

About time something was demolished in bracknell to start the ball rolling.

Reading misses out on city status to chelmsford?!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-17363701
Nevermind. Biggest, baddest town in england forever. Putting so called cities to shame.

Frankus Maximus

March 15th, 2012, 12:01 AM

Irish Blood English Heart

March 17th, 2012, 07:33 PM

Absurd that Reading missed out for Chelmsford and St. Astaph ffs.

siberian dreamer

March 19th, 2012, 08:59 AM

Is there something against Reading becoming a city or what? This is absolutely ridiculous.

Dothog

March 19th, 2012, 04:05 PM

Is there something against Reading becoming a city or what? This is absolutely ridiculous.

Entirely coincidental facts:

Oxford has one of the longest (http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/distance-from-oxford-to-st_albans.htm) distances from any other city in the UK (only Carlisle and Norwich are further in England).

Five of the largest towns without city status (Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Reading and Swindon) are closer to Oxford than that.

reading general

March 20th, 2012, 05:08 PM

I guess some peoples idea of a british city is different to other. Old places with big churches seem more important than economy and size. Regardless of the size of the buildings and population Reading will always have a town feel to me but i feel the status might give it a bit more sway for project funding both in the u.k and europe.
I does lack in culture and civic pride though. The council being ever keen to point out it's distance from london and expecting that to be enough to keep locals happy. But this is no commuter town it is a regional centre for the towns around it.
One day perhaps Reading will have a skyline like Frankfurt and a tram or trolleybus system like european cities, but it will probably still be a town!

cardiff

March 21st, 2012, 12:48 AM

Went through Slough for the first time the other day, only saw it from the back of a taxi tot he train station but it seemed quite a smart yet car dominated place. Nice train station set amongst very modern buildigns reminded me alot of the united states.

NewcastleUniStudent

March 21st, 2012, 07:02 PM

PAKONE

March 22nd, 2012, 03:22 PM

Slough Borough Council has wasted so much money on the refurnishment. It has made slough more chaotic!

Rational Plan

April 23rd, 2012, 09:28 PM

Rational Plan

April 23rd, 2012, 09:37 PM

Reading council agreed the plans to the Ikea Reading, happy with new road junction. West Berkshire is now due to decide on the 13th of july.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2111418_plans_for_calcot_ikea_store_approved

Rational Plan

April 23rd, 2012, 10:00 PM

Also the junction in Slough is coming along. It looks much better with it lined with semi mature trees.

Rational Plan

April 26th, 2012, 05:33 PM

Updated images for Slough estates updated business quarter.

1. 4 million sq ft offices 2 hotels, training centre, conference centre, transport interchanges and cafes and retail.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough5.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough7.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough6.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough4.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough3.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/iqslough1.jpg

Rational Plan

April 26th, 2012, 05:40 PM

Old plans from 2007 on partial redevelopment of the Shopping centre in Slough. But the recession hit and it has new owners now, so who knows.

The plan involved demolition of the Northern half of the centre facing Wellington street, moving the parking underground and build large new units including one new department store. A wall of new apartments would also be built facing wellington street transforming the place into a real street.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough11.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough7.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough6.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough6.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough9.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough10.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough3.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough2.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough4.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/Maryside/London%20Photos/queensmereslough1.jpg