£795k price tag for Peace Garden still not finished

Newbury town centre’s so-called ‘Peace Garden’ is still not open… despite nearly £800,000 of public money being spent on it.

West Berkshire Council is blaming the delays on finishing the section to shore up the canalbank.

It says there are two phases to the tidy up of the open section of land, with the first phase, which has involved cutting down some trees, planting some others and planting a picnic lawn, is now complete.

The project is backed by external grants of £375,000 from the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership and £420,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (the levelling up fund).

“We are unable to complete Phase 2 at the moment as it’s dependent on finalising the canal sheet piling works,” said a council spokesperson.

“Once the sheet piling work is delivered (repairing works to the canal edge along the Wharf), we can then finalise the Peace Garden Phase 2.”

Phase two involved putting mixed grass in new raised planters for ‘picnics, play and pause’.

New timber benches will lead to a viewing platform by the riverfront, there will be planting to the riverbank, new metal railings to water’s edge and some more planters and trees.

The Wharf is a major focus of West Berkshire Council’s Newbury Town Centre Masterplan, which aims to enhance leisure, community, and cultural experiences, transforming the town centre into a vibrant space for social interaction, economic growth, and community activities.

Work started last November.

Questioned then on whether the project is value for money, Louise Sturgess (Lib Dem, Newbury Central), the then portfolio holder for economic development said ‘yes’, it was.

“The Peace Garden was not an inviting place to be,” she said.

“It was not being used to its best potential, particularly as it is a prime location in the town centre.

“Improvements to the garden will make it bigger and turn it into a welcoming green space where everyone will be able to walk and relax.”