WORK has begun on a major biodiversity project near the Eastern Relief Road in Shinfield, designed to enhance local green spaces and improve public access to nature.
A £1m project led by the University of Reading comes as part of the wider Shinfield Studios development, which is located at the University-owned Thames Valley Science Park.
The initiative will provide new pathways for walking and cycling, enabling better access to green spaces.
Wildlife will also benefit from 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.
The first phase of the project is now underway and will see the creation of a new public footpath linking the Eastern Relief Road to Cutbush Lane, which will aim to provide residents and visitors with safer, more sustainable travel options and better access to nature.
Phase two, tipped to begin early next year, 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.
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, 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.”
