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Map key: 1. Ephemeral pond, 2. Wetland habitat, 3. Backwater for fish, 4. Restored river channel, 5. Footpath, 6. Viewing area
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Nature haven set to become reality at Fobney Island

By Natalie Slater
June 22, 2010

A new nature reserve at Fobney Island is finally set to become a reality after years of planning.

The Fobney Island Habitat Improvement scheme is set to get under way in September and will be completed by 2011 with new wildlife, a fish-friendly river and even a bird-viewing platform.

Funding for the scheme has eventually been assured with some input from Thames Water and the Environment Agency (EA) and final drafts for the island were put forward to the Green City and Open Spaces forum at the Civic Centre last Tuesday.

Lizzie Ryhmes, from the EA fisheries team, explained that the development had needed a financial boost on top of the £50,000 from Reading Borough Council but that even though extra funding had been secured, it was still not enough to create the angling lake that had first been proposed on the site.

She said: “We will be creating an improved recreation facility with a circular walkway and a place where people come to enjoy, rather than just passing through.

“It will be a wetland habitat and we will be working to attract a number of amphibians and reptiles and invertebrates.

“Kingfishers and water voles, stag beetles, bats and owls – these are all the kinds of animals we expect to enjoy the habitat we will be creating on the island.”

Plans also include fishing pegs for anglers and the development is due to start in September although the exact time span is dependent on funding.

Ben Stanesby, parks manager at the council, said: “There has historically been a problem with motorbikes on the site and a number of races have been held there.

“We are trying to make it less desirable for that activity by having it as a wet area.”

Car parking for the site will be in the existing area on the town side of the island, near Fobney Weir.

However the land will be available for further development by the old water treatment site if and when the money becomes available.

nslater@reading-epost.co.uk

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i have to laugh at the "fish-friendly river" comment. this part of the kennet (beat 3 as it's known to those that fish it) is already a great fish friendly river with good barbel, chub, roach, perch and other species in abundance!

the plans to alter the course of the river, albeit back to where it was back in time, fill me with something close to horror. even more so when the plan to start work is in september - the time when the river really comes alive on the fishing front.

intrigued to see how this all pans out....

globbits
22/06/2010 at 12:22

Interesting to see, while browsing around other sites about Fobney Island, that someone claims to have seen a hobby flying there a couple of years ago. Can't say I've ever seen one and I suspect if there were one resident then it would be better known about than one sighting 3 years ago or so.