Biodiversity to be boosted in £1m project in Shinfield

The first phase of the £1m project is expected to be finished in mid-December

A £1m project to improve biodiversity and improve green spaces as part of the wider Shinfield Studios development has begun.

The work near the Eastern Relief Road in Shinfield will improve walking and cycling provision around the University of Reading-owned Thames Valley Science Park.

The first phase will create a new public footpath linking the Eastern Relief Road to Cutbush Lane and is expected to be finished by mid-December.

The second phase will next year introduce soft landscaping, including planting and fencing, improving the area's ecological value.

Molli Cleaver, Reading University's community engagement manager, said: "This project is about more than just restoring habitats – it's about creating spaces where people and nature can thrive together.

"We're excited to open up new green routes for walking and cycling, and to give the community more opportunities to connect with the natural environment on their doorstep."

Led by the University of Reading, the £1m project is part of the wider Shinfield Studios development which is located at the University-owned Thames Valley Science Park.

The initiative will benefit the local community by providing new pathways for walking and cycling, enabling better access to green spaces. Wildlife will also benefit, with the restoration and creation of valuable habitats along the River Loddon Corridor, including grasslands, woodlands, reedbeds and meadows, encouraging the fauna typically found in natural environments of this kind.

Phase one of the project, which is now underway, includes the creation of a new public footpath linking the Eastern Relief Road to Cutbush Lane. This will provide residents and visitors with safer, more sustainable travel options and better access to nature.

Early next year, phase two will introduce soft landscaping, including planting, fencing and protective measures for existing flora, further enhancing the area’s ecological value.

For public safety, access to University land from the Eastern Relief Road will be restricted until the phase one works are complete, but all pathways and roads will remain open. Phase one of this project is expected to be completed by mid-December 2025.

The project reflects the University’s long-term commitment to sustainability and biodiversity, ensuring that development at Shinfield Studios leaves a lasting positive legacy for the environment and the community.