Plans to upgrade Newbury waterfront

New timber edging amongst proposals for wharf

Author: Niki Hinman, Local democracy reporterPublished 25th Sep 2023

West Berkshire Council wants to upgrade the waterfront along the Wharf in Newbury.

It wants to put in new timber edging and replace or cover the exposed steel sheeting to make it look uniform.

The new timber edge will match the timber edge already installed to the towpath on the opposite bank.

Landscape architects Adams and Sutherland have put in the permission request to its client, which is the council.

It says new path materials are planned as the existing ones are in poor condition and in some areas present a trip hazard.

It also plans to refurbish the old crane.

The historic crane structure is not originally from the Wharf, but relocated there some years ago.

Architects say it is in need of redecorating and some repair to improve its longevity.

“We would also advocate installing some bird deterrent to the top of the crane arm to prevent pigeons fouling,” it said.

Adams and Sutherland were commissioned by West Berkshire Council in April 2022 to complete a feasibility study of Newbury Wharf.

The study considered how to transform the existing car park and waterfront areas into a new multi-function public space that would provide a new destination in the town centre.

They are also after permission to upgrade parts of the Peace Garden by planting new trees.

The current proposals include for the planting of three new trees within the Peace Garden area. The proposed species are to be confirmed.

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