Reading and the Thames Valley is one of the most dynamic, entrepreneurial sub regions in the world with a wealth and diversity of companies, technologies and sectors and a fantastic base of skills and knowledge on which to build. Writer John Burbedge, unashamedly proud to be Reading born and bred, gives an overview of the area now, and 10 years hence


READING THAMES VALLEY


2025 &


27


Reading by 2025: A decade of smart digital-age development or Thames Valley treading water?


So what might Reading become by 2025? Well, first of all, Reading might not be Reading. Dare I say it, my hometown should become the City of Reading.


Who cares though? Reading already operates as a City in internationally connected business terms. Many also see its Thames Valley scope extending far beyond its borough boundary to encompass a greater Reading region.


Whatever the geography and status of the town by 2025, I would like to see:


• A proper vehicle-carrying third bridge across the Thames. (Thanks, but that’s not the cycling-walking version recently opened at Caversham)


• Digital communication befitting the UK’s Tech Valley capital. Why do I still hear that local Internet connections can be poor? By 2025 could Reading have trailblazed by providing full and free public Wi-Fi Internet throughout its environs?


• A vibrant co-ordinated approach to the region’s future fully involving the private, public, academic and voluntary sectors – an approach not hog-tied by politics and the grant of central government funding. (Keep up the good work, Reading UK CIC and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP)


• The people of Reading becoming unofficial ambassadors for the Thames Valley – talking the region up, not complaining so much. How lucky we are to live here, rather than some war or poverty-stricken economic region. The RG6 postcode (Earley/Lower Earley) and Wokingham are both among the top five places to live in England and Wales1


• Improved arts, cultural and heritage amenities.


The Reading area has come a long way in the THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – NOVEMBER 2015


past 10 years – magnificent new railway station, The Blade landmark offices, car-free town centre, improved motorway junctions, and not forgetting the ongoing creation of prestige developments and reputations for The Oracle and Green Park. How far will Reading have progressed by 2025?


In the right place . . .


Reading has many jewels in its crown as the unofficial capital of the Thames Valley, but perhaps its finest asset is its location.


Close enough to London to satisfy workstyle needs; far enough away to satisfy lifestyle desires, Reading and its locality can boast some of the UK’s best transportation links, and most attractive leisure amenities and natural surroundings.


Why else would so many foreign businesses have turned left out of Heathrow down the M4 to settle here? Why did Tesco’s recently site its huge new distribution centre on Reading’s M4 J-11? Why are so many home-hunters now seeking properties in the region? Why have I worked locally and internationally and never wanted or needed to move away?


. . . at the right time?


Over the next 10 years, several major infrastructure projects will feature strongly in framing the future of Reading and the Thames Valley – completion of the Station Hill redevelopment; the new Science Park at Shinfield; a Green Park railway station; western rail access to Heathrow and the decision (or not) on a new Heathrow runway; ‘smart’ motorways, rail electrification and Crossrail, just to mention the obvious current ones.


Already, in the planning pipeline are major


mixed-use developments – the Royal Elm Park proposal near Madejski Stadium, a Gateway site by M4J-11, and other brownfield town locations.


Plainly, with the Thames Valley’s thriving business core spearheading UK economic recovery and Reading rated the most prosperous area outside London2 the next decade looks bright, but growth and change brings fresh challenges – the need for additional local housing perhaps topping the list.


And, there are other concerns on the horizon?


Crossrail is a two-edged sword, for example. It may boost local business and cause Reading property prices to increase by 43% by the end of 20203, but this time last year the town was already within the top 10 most unaffordable UK places to buy a home4.


As Louize Clarke, co-founder of ConnectTVT, the platform championing local fledgling technology talent, says: “Crossrail runs both ways and we need to ensure we don’t lose the best and brightest to London.”


Well, that’s my overview, but here are some other informed viewpoints:


With proven credentials and known challenges . . .


According to the Barclays UK Prosperity Map, Reading’s proven success has a continuing role to play in securing a stable and prosperous future for the UK as a whole.


“Reading’s prosperity score has been driven by a thriving entrepreneurial scene, with a positive business birth-to-death ratio only just


Continued overleaf ... www.businessmag.co.uk


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