There is no longer visitor parking available at Reading Borough Council as work gets underway to modernise its offices and create a new public library. 

The authority has said construction has started to make the council’s office “carbon-free”.

The council won a multi-million pound contract from the government to build a new purpose-built central library at its Bridge Street premise and cash to redesign its customer service and reception area.

A spokesman for the authority says contractor Morgan Sindall has started work to replace the current gas boilers used for heating and hot water with air-source heat pumps, “in line with the Council’s ambition to become Net Zero by 2030”.

The council is also replacing the air-cooling system which is at the end of its life - the public cost of this has not yet been disclosed. 

Residents may have noticed the area in front of the office has been sectioned off. 

The council building remains open to the public with residents invited to use the entrance on Bridge Street. The spokesman warned “it may be noisier than usual”. 

There will also be the delivery of materials and more lorries in the area, and residents are being asked to take more care around the building.

Visitor parking is now unavailable, and we would recommend using the nearby parking bays in Fobney Street, The Oracle, blue badge spaces in St Mary’s Butts, or public transport into the town centre.

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."