Work to complete the Peace Garden and improve access to Newbury’s Wharf is moving into its next phase this month, marking another step in delivering the vision set out in the Newbury Town Centre Masterplan.

Most of the Peace Garden was finished in 2025, but during construction, our teams uncovered structural issues with the south riverbank. To keep the area safe and protect the waterfront for the long term, immediate stabilisation work is now essential. This means riverbank piling will begin this month alongside further improvements between the American Bridge and the A339 flyover, including the careful removal of the historic goods crane**, which will return, fully refurbished, in early summer.

These urgent works are crucial to safeguarding the Wharf and will support future enhancements for walking, wheeling and cycling along the waterfront. While this activity is underway, some areas of the Peace Garden will need to be closed temporarily to allow the work to be carried out safely.

At the same time, Phase 2 of the Peace Garden will bring the project to life with new biodiverse planting, upgraded landscaping, integrated seating and stronger visual connections to the water – ensuring this new public space feels calm, welcoming and accessible to everyone.

This work builds on designs by award-winning architectural and landscape consultancy Adams & Sutherland, supported by a dedicated partnership of organisations working to deliver a vibrant, community-focused space at the heart of Newbury. The improvements across both sides of the canal will form part of a wider programme to enhance the town centre, aligned with ambitions in the emerging Local Plan.

Councillor Justin Pemberton, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Community Engagement, Economic Development and Regeneration, said:

 “We’re really looking forward to opening the Peace Garden in time for Spring next year. This new space will bring real health and wellbeing benefits for our residents and visitors, and it’s just the beginning of the transformative changes planned for the Wharf and the wider town centre. Once completed, these improvements will be enjoyed for generations.”

These projects are supported by Business Rates Retention Pilot funding and the government’s United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund.