Historic damaged gates to be replaced in the autumn

Work to repair a historic riverside garden's gates which were severely damaged after a car crashed through them could start in the autumn.

The oak replica gates at Caversham Court Gardens, which lie next to the River Thames in Reading, were broken in October.

The site is Grade II listed and was bought by the Reading Corporation in 1931, which demolished its original house and opened its gardens as a public park in 1934.

Reading Borough Council, which now owns and the runs it, said the new gates will be completed along with work to a 17th Century gazebo and a boundary wall.

The authority said the "big repair job" across the garden will include work on the gazebo's wooden frame and repainting it and completing structural repair work to a causeway next to it.

An old stable building and its courtyard wall will be rebuilt.

All the work will be completed using traditional hand tools and, because of its listed status, any new materials must match the previous ones exactly.

Jacopo Lanzoni, the council's lead councillor for leisure and culture, said: "Caversham Court Gardens is a much-loved riverside space which attracts many visitors for its beauty and history.

"These repairs and conservation works are essential to ensure the buildings and structures are kept in good condition. The installation of new oak double gates at the main entrance will also be very welcome.

"Maintaining the buildings in a good state of repair will mean that residents and visitors to Reading will be able to enjoy these beautiful gardens for many years to come."