Greening the Waterways

Reading BID is not only committed to enhancing the natural beauty of Reading’s waterways for everyone to admire, but to create a healthier ecosystem, supporting wildlife from the sky to the water. As part of this commitment, we partnered with The Oracle, the Environment Agency, the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, and the Abbey Quarter BID to install reedbeds along the Kennet Canal, both through The Oracle shopping centre and on both sides of the canal outside Queens Road Car Park. 

Once fully grown, their lush foliage of these floating reedbeds will attract birds, bees, and butterflies, creating a more vibrant and biodiverse town centre. But the benefits extend far beyond what’s visible above the water—beneath the surface, the plants’ roots act as natural filtration systems, improving water quality while also providing essential shelter for fish and aquatic insects. 

By investing in projects like this, Reading BID is making the town greener, cleaner, and more enjoyable for businesses, visitors, and residents, from the local birds to Reading’s fish, who now have luxury waterfront real estate to call home.