6 things Reading needs to make it look better

But as the town pins its hopes on becoming a city once again, we asked readers what they thought the Reading needs to improve its aesthetic.

This is what they said:

Waterways

“Embrace the beauty of the river and Canal and encourage more use,” wrote Gary Huntly.

“Make the river an attraction and thriving place for visitors and residents alike. So many other towns and villages embrace their waterways.”

Ice rink

Multiple Facebook users called for an ice rink, pointing out that the closest functioning ones are Slough, Basingstoke or Oxford.

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London Road and Oxford Road

The carriageways could use some TLC, said some users, to make the town more welcoming to visitors.

The Hexagon

One user took a disliking to the Hexagon Theatre. Reading Borough Council has drawn up plans to regenerate the area surrounding the Hexagon.

The 2018 development framework outlines a “distinctive, dense and high-quality urban quarter.”

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Hexagon Square will be at the heart of the new quarter, large enough to hold events, it reads.

Queens Walk will be transformed into a greenway that incorporates extensive planting, seating and play features.

It notes: “The Hexagon theatre will only be developed if a replacement facility for Reading is provided, and approaches to the theatre will be improved.”

Better Pools

Reading Borough Council is well on its way to answering this request, developing two pools in Rivermead and Palmer Park.

The latter will receive a 25m, six lane pool and the former a 25m, eight lane pool, a splash pad for younger swimmers and a new teaching and diving pool.

Trees and transport

Karen Bradley commented that she would like flowers and plants while Martin Carr thought the town would benefit from trams.