West Berkshire makes inroads into carbon neutrality

West Berkshire Council says it has reduced its carbon footprint by 25 per cent over the last two years.

In a report to the council’s Executive Committee, it says there has been a reduction of approximately 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from the Council’s activities.

The report points to a range of case studies which have contributed to the overall reduction, since the council implemented its Environment Strategy Delivery Plan.

Those include carbon-neutral road surfacing projects which were delivered in Beedon, Burghfield and Thatcham and the A4 Western Avenue.

Central to its ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2030 is the planning permission granted for a solar farm near Grazeley - it says it will be progressing with this project in the coming year.

Plans will see more than 60,000 solar panels installed on up to 75 acres of council land - despite strong local opposition.

This, says the council, would generate enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of approximately 7,282 homes.

“We are committed to sourcing the Council’s energy from renewable suppliers as soon as possible. We currently have ‘Blue’ energy – which is sourced from nuclear energy and is a low carbon alternative to using fossil fuels,” says the report.

Over the past year, the four trial recycling banks have collected 29 tonnes of plastic pots, tubs and trays which diverted this plastic away from energy from waste or landfill facilities and into recycling.

Plans are in place to provide two more sites across the district for plastic pots, tubs and trays these will be located at Theale and East Garston.

Also, the Executive approved support for electric / hybrid taxis at their meeting in September 2022 by agreeing a series of measures to help the taxi trade ‘go green’ including subsidies.

The report also highlights the work on the Hickson Hedgerows re-wilding project after being approached by a Great Shefford resident regarding the potential environmental enhancement of two areas of nearby Council owned land.

The areas of land were unused and were mown periodically by West Berkshire Council contractors.

The local community wished to enhance these areas for the benefit of everyone living locally.

The project has been named ‘Hickson Hedgerows’ in memory of long time Great Shefford residents, Jean and Lister Hickson who lived in the village for over 30 years and were very much at the heart of the community. The couple loved gardening and bee keeping.

The progress for the District is monitored through data supplied by BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) on a calendar year basis.