Home   News   Article UPDATE: This incident has now been cleared and the road has reopened A crash has shut the M4 through part of West Berkshire The motorway is currently closed eastbound between junction 15 at Swindon and junction 14 for Hungerford Wiltshire Police are currently on the scene Queues are building up on approach roads to the closure and on the diversion routes so motorists are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys this afternoon.National Highways has said it doesn't expect the motorway to reopen until at least 3pm Diversions are in place and diverted traffic is advised to follow the hollow circle diversion symbol Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 15th April 2025 by ianVisits in Transport News Anyone walking or catching the train across the Hungerford Bridge in central London can’t have failed to notice that much of it is covered in scaffolding This is the start of a several-year programme of maintenance and restoration and during a railway closure over the weekend I was able to have a look at what’s going on Although it’s one of the oldest railway bridges across the Thames it’s not the first bridge in this part of London There used to be a pedestrian-only suspension bridge linking the south side of the river to the large Hungerford Market that stood where Charing Cross station is today Designed by none other than Isambard Kingdom Brunel the bridge was a dramatic addition to London at a time when there weren’t that many river crossings The pedestrian bridge opened on 1st May 1845 so we’re about to mark its 180th anniversary companies were already eyeing the spot for a railway line instead Some proposed building a railway next to the bridge others a terminus on the southside next to the bridge and a few foolhardy proposals for running trains over the pedestrian bridge Although people were already talking about building railways it took some years for anything to be done mainly thanks to a devastating fire that badly damaged the Hungerford Market in 1854 That spurred the market to close down a few years later and sell its site to the South Eastern Railway in 1862 The railway company demolished the old suspension bridge, famously sending the chains to Bristol to be recycled by the Clifton Suspension Bridge reusing the two large brick piers in the river that the bridge stood on Those brick piers contain a staircase that lets boats moor up against the brick piers and disembark passengers onto the bridge they’re a hidden piece of London’s transport history The current Hungerford Railway Bridge opened on 11th January 1864 and has been carrying trains across the river ever since When you’re a 161-year-old railway bridge sitting on 180-year-old brick piers crossing over a salty tidal river and that’s what’s going on at the moment Although most of the work is done without needing to close the railway which is why the line was closed this weekend just passed and gave a chance to see some of the work being done which sees a scaffolding rig wrapped around a single span of the bridge so they can carry out the maintenance and repairs the whole lot is disassembled and reassembled in the next span along It will take three to four years to complete with variability due to the need to include contingency plans in case the bridge needs more repairs than expected It’s always difficult to know just what condition something is in until you strip it back and get a good look at what’s hidden under layers of paint workers in heavy protective clothing working on a hot day are blasting away the old paint to reveal the wrought iron beneath That’ll allow them to carry out any patch repairs that might be needed although as the bridge underwent major steelworks in 1978-80 stripping the paint back down to the base also has another benefit so a full recoat will last at least 20 years whereas partial repainting over older layers might see them having to come back in 15 years time on a hot day and even with dedicated welfare facilities and plenty of drinking water it’s a tough job the people are carrying out they will be repainted with three coats of protective layers to protect the bridge from the salty environment it sits in all the joints that make up the wrought iron trusses are being tested The pins inside the joints will be scanned using penetrating ultrasonic scanners to check their structural integrity Some of the large end pin nuts have worn loose over the decades and will be replaced with like-for-like There aren’t many railway jobs that require you to wear a life jacket to get onto site That’s because the staff welfare services are on a barge moored in the river under the bridge requiring a boat trip from the embankment out to the staff block A bridge will arrive soon to reduce some of the boat trips there will be some weekend closures over the next few years and although the details are still being worked out there might be a two-week closure in August 2026 That will also include a project to upgrade the 1976-era signalling on the approach to Charing Cross station, which will help fix some problems in the area with signalling and power pick-ups. With just six intensely used platforms, fixing that will help reduce delays on the Southeastern services that terminate there The £26 million refurbishment project is being carried out in two phases The first phase is underway now on the Southbank end of the bridge and will last until January 2026 The second phase will be the main refurbishment work which will take place on the remaining spans across the river from January 2026 to winter 2028 the bridge will look cleaner than it has for many years and should be good for another 20-25 years before they need to come back and do it all again This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here I wonder if it’s possible to point out the original brick piers I remember in the late 80s / early 90s walking on the pedestrian bridge and seeing the bare bridge deck as they were spending a bank holiday weekend renewing all the tracks from Charing Charing Cross to just before Waterloo East Like Putney Bridge this one is ‘annoying’ to travellers and tourists because the thick cross beams block much of what would be great views up and down the Thames Ideally it should eventually become part of a new north-south rail route through London linking the southern terminals with the northern ones Because it wasn’t and sensitive historic area back in 1864 and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits The 161-year-old Hungerford railway bridge spanning the Thames in central London is set to undergo an extensive refurbishment programme beginning this weekend (18 January) Originally opened in 1864 and designed by engineer Sir John Hawkshaw the current steel truss bridge features wrought iron lattice girders and serves as a vital link between the South Bank and Charing Cross station designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the earlier Hungerford Suspension Footbridge (1845-1860) Network Rail and contractor VolkerFitzpatrick - as part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise - will undertake critical maintenance over two phases The first phase will focus on the spans on the South Bank from January 2025 to January 2026 This involves preparing and painting the bridge testing truss pins that connect the various supports and replacing pin end caps on the girders while refurbishing the original metalwork the main refurbishment will cover the remaining spans from January 2026 until 2028 users can expect additional weekend closures between 2026 and 2028 View of the Hungerford Bridge from the southern Golden Jubilee walkway The bridge has witnessed a series of upgrades in its long history having been repaired and strengthened multiple times particularly in response to damage sustained during the Second World War Prior renovations include a notable overhaul between 1978 and 1980 when extensive work was carried out on the bridge’s decks The Hungerford Bridge has evolved over the years, with adjacent pedestrian walkways completed in 2002 for the Golden Jubilee that complement its role as a key transport route while enhancing public access across the Thames The upcoming restoration aims to ensure the longevity and safety of this vital piece of infrastructure for future generations This project is part of £213M to be invested by Network Rail in bridges and structures on its Kent and South East London routes over the next four years Network Rail Kent Route director David Davidson said: “Many of the bridges on Britain’s railway are from the Victorian era and being responsible for this national heritage is both a privilege and a challenge so are vulnerable to corrosion and damage from weather “Refurbishment of Hungerford Bridge will take three years and we won’t need to close the bridge to trains during this first phase as we’ll be working at times that cause the least disruption to train services This means we are carrying out some of our work during the night we will also use barges to deliver and remove waste materials to Surrey Pier for the period of the works to avoid creating extra traffic and the resulting pollution This will avoid the equivalent of six truck freight deliveries through central London a week.” VolkerFitzpatrick is the Building and Civils partner for the Southern Renewals Enterprise to deliver the southern region’s £9bn renewals portfolio between 2024 and 2034 VolkerFitzpatrick project manager Aaron Dolan said: “We’re proud to begin the essential refurbishment of such an iconic structure we’re delivering a project that respects history while meeting today’s needs.” Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. Tagged with: hungerford bridge network rail southern renewals enterprise VolkerFitzpatrick Network Rail is gearing up to complete 359 projects worth £67.4M over…  The Island Line on the Isle of Wight has returned to full… Network Rail and its engineers are preparing for the installation of new… Network Rail and its supply chain carried out works across the country… which carries a railway line over the Thames between the South Bank and London Charing Cross station is undergoing restoration to ensure its longevity this is scheduled for completion by the end of winter 2028 The current bridge comprises spans made of wrought iron lattice girders dating from 1864 it’s important that the bridge is maintained so that the railway can be run safely and reliably for passengers VolkerFitzpatrick’s engineers will prepare and paint the bridge test the truss pins - which join together the supports – and replace the pin end caps on the girders All of the original metalwork will be retained and refurbished the bridge will not close to trains during this first phase and some work will be carried during the night VolkerFitzpatrick will also use barges to deliver and remove waste materials for the period of the works to avoid creating extra traffic and the resulting pollution This will avoid the equivalent of six truck freight deliveries through central London a week The refurbishment work will be carried out in two phases with the first phase commencing on the spans on the Southbank and the south side of the river from January 2025 to January 2026 The second phase of the works will be the main refurbishment works which will take place on the remaining spans across the river from January 2026 to winter 2028 VolkerFitzpatrick is the Building and Civils partner for the Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE) Tel: +44 (0)1992 305 000Email: enquiries@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk  Office opening hours:Monday to Friday 8:30 – 17:00 Newbury hosts year-round racing – utilise the dropdown list below to select a raceday Enjoy admission to two of Newbury’s Saturday music racedays in 2025 Newbury hosts year-round racing – utilise the dropdown list to select a raceday and book hospitality explore our signature suites in this window The Hennessy Restaurant recently undergone a £1,500,000 refurbishment Lounge 303 a 36-room hotel nestled at the heart of the Racecourse estate Access the best price for your stay by booking direct If you’d like to get in touch with a member of Conference & Events team simply complete the short form below and we’ll be in touch If you’d like to get in contact with us simply complete the short form below and a member of our team will be in touch shortly Home Racing Hungerford Day with Clean Bandit Newbury Racecourse welcomes Clean bandit – the acclaimed electronic trio – on Saturday 16th August as they perform live after racing on Hungerford Day Clean Bandit has achieved remarkable success with four UK number-one hits and ten top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart The group features classically trained cellist Grace Chatto alongside brothers Jack and Luke Patterson with Jack serving as the primary songwriter and earning two Ivor Novello Awards for hits including the triple platinum “Rather Be” featuring Jess Glynne As well as the racing and Clean Bandit’s performance there’s so much else to look forward to across the day – read on to find out just what’s in store There are a range of tickets and hospitality packages available and the earlier you book the more you’ll save And with free parking and an on-site train station it couldn’t be easier to get here The Grandstand Enclosure provides you with standard views of the racecourse Get closer to the racing action with a Premier Enclosure ticket Enjoy Newbury’s biggest racedays in the best way with a Premier Plus ticket Enjoy two big music racedays this summer for less A Music Moments pass will gain you access to two of our three Saturday music racedays Enjoy Premier Enclosure access to two big music racedays Under 18s can enjoy two big music racedays for less The Hennessy Restaurant underwent at £1,500,000 renovation in 2023 – money well spent we’re sure you’ll agree and the seasonal food item (cheese & biscuits or breakfast roll) will not be included in the package on the following racedays: Tuesday 24th June Tuesday 5th August and Thursday 28th August A great atmosphere is all but guaranteed in our biggest hospitality space Lounge 303 is the Racecourse’s most contemporary space Our 1905 Booths are ideal for groups looking for the perfect social setting Pull out all the stops with a private space just for you Newbury Racecourse is ideally situated and easily accessible please see below for route recommendations Newbury Racecourse has its own train station which is just one stop from Newbury Station with regular connections from major stations across the region Once arriving at Newbury Racecourse station it’s simply a case of making the short walk (1-2 minutes) to the Racecourse The Racecourse is also easily accessible by road west and north via the M4 should enter site via Hambridge Road (nearest postcode RG14 7PN) and those travelling from the south via the A339 should enter the course via Racecourse Road (nearest postcode RG14 7GL) please follow traffic marshal directions when arriving who will be on hand to direct you to the appropriate car parks Newbury Racecourse is pleased to offer free on-site parking on racedays Car Parks 4 & 5 will be open and these will open 30 minutes before gates open while vehicles can be left on-site overnight Those with a Premier Enclosure ticket will also be able to park in Car Park 1 Newbury Racecourse Members receive preferential parking courtesy of their Membership A coach park – for minibuses and coaches – is also available and staff will be on hand to direct appropriate vehicles to this car park For more information on getting to Newbury Racecourse by road on raceday please follow the link below Newbury Racecourse is renowned for providing an intimate feel despite its significant footprint Follow the link below to get your bearings ahead of your visit All tickets for racedays at Newbury will be received as e-tickets These will arrive by email while they’ll also be available on the free Raceday Ready app If your tickets don’t arrive to your main inbox Orders which include complimentary Under 18 tickets may be held for collection on the raceday If you’ve ordered complimentary Under 18 tickets and your tickets are due to held for collection you’ll be notified by a member of the team The free Raceday Ready app can be downloaded below: Apple – ow.ly/8o3y50UMtRY Android – ow.ly/WtXK50UMtSu If you’re collecting your tickets on a raceday these will be available to collect from East Gate from the time gates open If you haven’t received your tickets within 72 hours of the raceday please contact us via info@newburyracecourse.co.uk For the latest weather forecast for Newbury Newbury Racecourse is keen all racegoers feel comfortable during their visit Please see below for dress recommendations Racegoers are encouraged to wear smart attire in the Premier Enclosure and many racegoers choose to dress up for their day with us smart denim jeans and trainers are all permitted We ask that denim isn’t ripped while fancy dress football/sports team shirts and vests are not permitted in Premier Enclosure spaces Newbury’s Grandstand Enclosure offers a more relaxed environment with non-offensive fancy dress welcome football/sports team shirts are not permitted No dress code applies to Under 12s in any of Newbury Racecourse’s spaces An array of food and drink - catering for a wide range of taste and dietary requirements - will be available across the Racecourse Vegan OfferingThe Racecourse's three coffee yards - on the ground and first floors of the Berkshire Stand and the first floor of the Dubai Duty Free Grandstand - offer a number of hot and cold vegan options Gluten Free OfferingThe Butchers' Block (ground floor of Berkshire) The Paddock Kitchen (first floor of Berkshire) Piglets Pantry (first floor of Hampshire) and the 1905 (first floor of the Hampshire) all offer menus which can be tailored to create gluten free options almond and soya milk are available across the Racecourse.Should you have any queries or questions regarding the Racecourse's food and drink offering please don't hesitate to ask a member of the catering team For more information on the range of food and drink available please follow the link below Newbury Racecourse offer all racegoers the use of a free Wi-Fi service When on-site simply select ‘FREE WIFI’ and follow the instructions to start using the free service Britbet’s Raceday Ready App – designed to enhance your experience with us – will also be available for use once on-site at Newbury Racecourse – this can be accessed via QR codes across site and also from links within the Racecard Newbury Racecourse is home to The Lodge – a 36 bedroom hotel located close to the centre of the Racecourse – so why rush off after your day For more information on The Lodge and how to book a room please click here Newbury Racecourse have teamed up with local hotels in the area to provide our racegoers with discounted hotel prices Newbury Racecourse prides itself on creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone For more information on accessibility at Newbury Racecourse please follow the link below Under 4s are entitled to free admission to this raceday and the Racecourse endeavours to create a welcoming environment for families and those attending with children Under 18 Tickets – which entitle admission to both the day’s racing and Clean Bandit’s headline set – start from just £16 These tickets can be added to your basket when purchasing an Adult ticket A day at the races brings with it a whole host of fun and there are a number of things you can bring with you to complement the day’s action For full information on what you can and can’t bring to Newbury Racecourse please follow the link below If you have a query or question about a raceday at Newbury please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via info@newburyracecourse.co.uk or alternatively you can check out some frequently asked questions below Subscribe to be the first to hear of news and the latest offers Racing LOWEST PRICED TICKETS END 11:59PM THIS FRIDAY Don’t forget that part of a busy road between Newbury and Hungerford will be closed for six weeks from today (Monday, April 28). The A4 between Station Road and the A34 roundabout in Speen will be shut until Sunday, June 8. As previously reported by the Newbury Weekly News, critics of the project have predicted there would be accidents and warned: “Newbury will be one big glorious traffic jam.” A convoluted diversion route of around 8.5 miles (14km) is in place throughout the works, which is to allow infrastructure works for a new David Wilson Homes development in Speen. Motorists will apparently be unable to access The Hare and Hounds pub restaurant from the Hungerford direction. Meanwhile the district council provided the Newbury Weekly News with the following statement: “For anyone wishing to travel west along the A4 Bath Road, the diversion route will be via the A339 northbound, Chieveley Interchange Roundabout, A34 southbound. “For anyone wishing to travel east along the A4 Bath Road, the diversion route will be via the A34 northbound, Chieveley Interchange Roundabout, A339 southbound. “Over the dates of May 16 to May 19 the diversion routes will be: for anyone wishing to travel west along the A4 Bath Road, A339 southbound, A343, A34 northbound. “For anyone wishing to travel East along the A4 Bath Road, A34 southbound, A343, A339 northbound. “Access and egress to the A34 from the west will remain unaffected at all times. “Access and egress to the A34 from the east will be obstructed by the road closure and traffic will need to follow the diversion route(s). “Access to Hungerford from Newbury via the A4 will not be possible and traffic will need to follow the diversion route(s). “Traffic joining the A4 to the west of the closure will be unaffected.” There are further roadworks taking place in the area during the same time too, with lane and slip road closures planned on the A34 around Speen during May. And then from May 6 until May 19, Hampshire County Council has said that there will be surface treatment works taking place on the A339 at Headley, close to Cheam School. The road will be closed throughout the two weeks while the works are carried out, with a 5.5 miles (9km) diversion route taking motorists through the village of Ashford Hill. Merthyr Town have scored 105 goals in their 41 league matches so far this season Merthyr Town clinched the Southern League Premier South title with a 3-0 victory over Hungerford Town Kane Simpson fired home at the back post to put the hosts ahead in the final stages of the first half in front of more than 3,000 supporters at Penydarren Park Simpson bagged his second of the afternoon on 84 minutes to kick-start the celebrations in Merthyr Ricardo Rees capped off a fine afternoon for The Martyrs with his side's third goal in added time "It's unbelievable, 32 games unbeaten and we've lost just one home game, you can't ask for better," chairman Les Barlow told Radio Wales Sport. we don't know exactly if we're going to be in the South or North Fan-owned Merthyr - who will be playing in the sixth-tier National League South or North next season - sign off a memorable 2024-25 campaign at relegation-threatened Basingstoke on Saturday Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt Alpine poised to replace Doohan with Colapinto The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Palmer's brilliance could be key moment in Chelsea's Champions League quest Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Still number one & 'sparring' with Draper - return of Sinner Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Two opposing views on football's transgender ban Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. top hats and petticoats: on Tuesday (April 29) historical characters will once again meander around Hungerford as part of the annual Tutti Day - or Hocktide - celebrations Tutti Day is a reinvention of the English tradition which now only exists in Hungerford Tutti (or tithing) Men visited commoners’ houses to collect rent but today they knock on the door for a drink and give a kiss and an orange to the woman of the house While some may say it is a little out of place in the 21st Century this important tradition continues to celebrate Hungerford’s commitment to commoners’ rights after these were granted by The event has altered slightly in recent years with women now able to assume the role of Tutti Men and Orange Men and boys have been included alongside traditional Tutti Girls At the heart of the festivities this year is Anthony Erdington and he is certainly being thrown into the deep end Originally from Birmingham and having spent the last decade in London community life has come as a welcome surprise for Mr Erdington and his wife Samantha Both have “just fallen in love with Hungerford… I think we’ve met more people in 10 months here than I met in 10 years in London.” The couple found out about Tutti Day from their neighbour who taught them about their commoner’s rights as residents of a property built on Hungerford’s original area the tradition of Tutti Day piqued Mr Erdington’s interest and he researched with other neighbours who reflected fondly on their involvement in the festivities When he was then asked to be a Tutti Man by the Constable he recalls being both surprised and honoured explaining that “having the opportunity to do something I haven’t done before is happening less often so it’s really exciting” Beginning with a hearty breakfast - which he joked he would be needing ahead of the busy day - the arrival of Tutti Day will be announced by the Bellman signalling the start their visits to houses and local businesses along the High Street The highlight of the day is the impressive four course lunch and the Hocktide Court where the newest commoners are shod with a horseshoe by a blacksmith Mr Erdington (probably quite accurately) observed that Tutti Day was “a peculiar tradition but I kind of love that!” And it is not just Mr Erdington involved in the rituals of Tutti Day which she admitted to being slightly anxious about She is also taking a lead in the outdoor decorations dressing the town in blue and gold ribbons in preparation for a week of celebrations Other occasions in the Hocktide Calendar include ale tasting on the Monday Court Leet on the Thursday and the Constable Parade on the following Sunday When asked about how he was feeling about the day Mr Erdington confessed he was “a little apprehensive” especially as this is his first experience of Tutti Day he said: “I am looking forward to the day - I think it’s going to be good fun and to be part of Hungerford’s history - a very small part of Hungerford’s history - but thrilled to be involved.” In reference to the iconic image of a Tutti Man kissing a woman in the top window of a house he added: “I just hope I don’t fall off the ladder!” Anyone is welcome to attend the Constable Parade and tickets for the Hocktide Lunch on Tutti Day are available online and in the Crown Needlework shop there are crafts and the scrambling for chocolate coins at the United Reform Church from 2pm Home   Sport   Article Hungerford Town’s walking footballers returned another seven point haul this month They matched their points record from March Their first game was a 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Swans who took advantage of an unusually sluggish start to go two up early on thanks to two fiercely struck efforts Hungerford replied with a confident penalty by Kevin Barbey although the sustained pressure which followed failed to yield an equaliser in a match where Hungerford were the masters of their own downfall Giving away a staggering six running offences Hungerford handed the division’s top side a gift They added a second and saw the game out with ease to win 2-0 Hungerford improved against Woodley however The first victory of the day was fully deserved as Charters were put to the sword with John Fletcher bagging a well taken hat-trick in a 3-0 win Hungerford were given a walkover win against Wycombe Chairboys who struggled to raise a side resulting in a 1-0 Hungerford victory as Hungerford completed the second round of fixtures in the Thames Valley Walking Football League with fourteen points to their name after ten matches They’re only four points off leaders Oxford United a remarkable feat for a side in just its second year of existence Home   Business   Article Fuel Cell Systems has relocated its operations and engineering departments to new purpose-built premises at Smitham Bridge The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued expansion and development the site is designed to support ambitious growth plans along with significantly expanded office space to accommodate the growing team will facilitate the design and development of cutting-edge hydrogen refuelling equipment The new HyFleet system is well on the way to completion and will provide refuelling for large fleets across the UK and Europe “It’s a fantastic start to the year,” said Lee Juby “The new premises have allowed us to organise our departments more effectively giving our teams the space and resources they need to continue their outstanding work “We’re excited about the opportunities this move brings and the momentum it gives us heading into 2025 “I am amazed how we managed to fit everything into our previous premises “Customers are welcome to visit us and see how we can meet their requirements.” sales and finance teams remain at its Station Yard premises ensuring continuity and strong collaboration across sites The company has been based in the West Berkshire town since it was founded in 2010 and has strong links in the area these locations support its ability to scale Home Racing News Clean Bandit To Headline Hungerford Day In 2025 Clean Bandit is among a select few UK bands with over a billion Spotify streams on four songs The Grammy-winning group has captivated audiences with their groundbreaking blend of classical and electronic music solidifying their reputation as one of the most innovative and influential forces in contemporary music “I Miss You” and “Rockabye” define their unique sound and legacy We’ve heard all about the Racecourse’s famous Party in the Paddock racedays and are so excited to be headlining on Saturday 16th August – we can’t wait to see you all there!” Tickets for CLEAN BANDIT live after racing at Newbury Racecourse go on general sale at 10am on Friday 22nd November but fans can access an exclusive pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday 20th November by registering for free below Tickets – which entitle admission to both the day’s racing and CLEAN BANDIT’s headline set – start from just £34 for Adults and £16 for U18s Marketing Director for Newbury Racecourse said: “This summer has seen us welcome Sigala Dizzee Rascal and thousands of fans to the Racecourse across two bumper music racedays and we’re delighted to announce Clean Bandit as the headliner for next August’s Hungerford Day With an afternoon’s racing and a live headline performance to look forward to it’s set to be an unmissable day Both the racing and Clean Bandit’s show are included in one ticket and those fans registering for our exclusive priority sale will guarantee themselves the best deal.’’ Hospitality packages – priced from £130 per person – for CLEAN BANDIT live after racing at Newbury Racecourse are on sale Newbury Racecourse plays host to year-round racing and offers free parking at all racedays while an on-site train station means getting to and from the Racecourse couldn’t be easier For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 02:08 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 Cloud thinning and becoming mainly dry overnight Cloud thinning and breaking during the evening with showers and any remaining rain soon fading Showers remain possible across Kent with brisk winds here Possible rural grass frost in western parts by dawn Cloudier in east with best of the sunshine across western regions mainly fine weather with sunny or clear spells and mostly light winds Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Londoners are expected to see frequent weekend closures as refurbishments will be carried out until the end of 2028 News | London A 161-year-old London railway bridge is to be refurbished from Thursday, Network Rail has said Hungerford Bridge, the structure that takes the railway over the Thames between the South Bank and London Charing Cross station with work expected to be completed by the end of winter 2028 A decision to restore the bridge was made after the infrastructure from 1864 started to seem “old” as it expressed concern about the railways being able to run safely in its current condition The bridge is made up of spans of wrought iron lattice girders from the Victorian era and has been repaired and refurbished several times throughout its life The project comes as Network Rail announces it is investing £213million over the next four years to give route structures used by the railway a revamp - while other structures will simply be replaced it’s important that the bridge is maintained so that the railway can be run safely and reliably for passengers,” a statement by the transport body said engineers will paint the bridge and test the truss pins but all of the original metalwork will be retained Network Rail’s Kent Route director David Davidson said: “Many of the bridges on Britain’s railway are from the Victorian era and being responsible for this national heritage is both a privilege and a challenge The refurbishment will be phased over three years The first phase will kick off on the spans on the Southbank and the south side of the river The second phase will see the main refurbishment works on the remaining spans across the river Londoners are expected to see frequent weekend closures between 2026-2028 as work occurs Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin POLICE are investigating an incident in which a male smashed up a vehicle with a hammer near a retirement complex In a monthly update to the January full meeting of Hungerford Town Council the neighbourhood police team stated: “On December 7 several calls were made to police of reports there was a male armed with a hammer near to the Redwood House area smashing up a vehicle “We are unable to make further comment on this incident at this time as the investigation is ongoing.” The team also arrested a local male suspected of carrying out six instances of shoplifting in the town over the last few weeks The said: “Thank you to those that have provided statements and CCTV that enabled us to identify the individual.” The update added: “In the early hours of New Year’s Day an altercation was reported on the High Street “Two persons were arrested and another was taken to hospital but shortly later came home.” the window to Hungerford Gourmet Oriental in High Street was smashed around 3am on the same day One person was arrested in connection with this incident Also during last December the team flagged up three reports of antisocial behaviour; one instance of theft relating to parcels left on a doorstep and one instance of shoplifting from Dobbies Garden centre on the Bath Road Anyone with information relating to any of the above can contact the neighbourhood team via the non emergency 101 number Alternatively the independent Crimestoppers charity can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 West Berkshire Council has received public backlash in its consultation over proposed increases in parking charges across the district Around 1,200 people took pen to paper – or filled in the online form – objecting to parking charge hikes in Newbury The council had wanted to boost its dwindling coffers by about £500,000 with the moves – but now it is back tracking in Hungerford – where 73 residents and the town council objected to take in specific concerns with the evening charge in Hungerford the council will amend plans for Hungerford High Street to set the evening charge to ‘free.’ People wrote in with concerns with the proposals in each of the affected towns – Hungerford Newbury and Thatcham – about the impact on town centres and businesses and the reliance on parking and the tourism trade for businesses Concerns with antisocial parking on other nearby roads as people seek free alternatives were also cited as well as concerns for residents who live in the immediately affected roads and affordability of parking Other comments were made on the consultation process as a whole concerns with paybyphone-only and non-cash payment methods concerns about limiting disabled parking to three hours and concerns over the Faraday Road planting – and more The council concedes that: “It is important to be clear that all objections and comments received following the statutory consultation for the proposed order must be considered regardless of the decision made at full council The decision being made now must take those objections and comments into consideration.” free parking will be limited in council car parks for the first three hours for blue badge holders But the council says proposals in the draft parking strategy seek to deliver improved services for disabled users by introducing more disabled parking bays where demand exceeds supply There are a total of 2,603 council spaces in West Berkshire and 2,358 spaces from other providers – 159 council parking spaces in Hungerford 1,800 in Newbury during the week and 1,950 during the weekends A businessman awaiting sentence for causing trouble in Hungerford High Street has been banned from town centre bars meanwhile As well as being forbidden to enter The Three Swans Hugo Scott-Russell is prohibited from contacting publicans at The Plume nearby Robert ‘Fluey’ Hall and his wife Diane Hall appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday He had been due to be sentenced for using threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour which put the general manager of The Three Swans and for using threatening or disorderly behaviour Scott-Russell had initially denied both offences which happened in Hungerford on December 12 2023 – but he subsequently changed his pleas and admitted them said an up-to-date pre-sentence report had not been completed that his client was also awaiting sentencing on more serious matters at the crown court That was a reference to an admission by Scott-Russell a former employee at Garden Art in Hungerford to having driven an Audi Q3 dangerously on the eastbound carriageway of the M4 near Bradfield on November 10 last year An accident ensued in which another person Scott-Russell was further convicted of failing to stop after the accident At Wednesday’s hearing a probation officer told the court: “A report was done for the crown court; there was to be an addendum for here but he [Scott-Russell] was in rehab and we didn’t know his whereabouts.” Mr Waker confirmed: “An addendum is also being prepared for the crown court as well told magistrates: “This case will have to follow the crown court [sentencing].” Magistrates therefore agreed to adjourn sentencing again Scott-Russell was meanwhile released on bail on the same conditions as previously Scott-Russell was a partner in The Blanchard Collective which was bought by the directors of Hungerford’s Garden Art Plus Ltd UPDATE: The road has now been cleared and reopened Part of Hungerford town centre is currently closed off after a crash earlier this morning The incident happened around 11am at the mini roundabout on the junction of High Street and Park Street One eye-witness described it as “quite a major incident” and said it looked like firefighters were preparing to cut the roof off one of the vehicles involved two ambulances and two fire engines all currently there Traffic is currently very heavy around the area A serial shoplifter caught by a neighbourhood police team is awaiting sentencing Paul Little appeared in the dock at Reading magistrates’ Court on Thursday admitted six charges of theft involving beers together worth £60 all from the One Stop shop in Fairview Road on various dates in November and December last year Magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared Little was meanwhile released on bail on condition he does not enter the store A MAN accused of having a knife in public has been sent to the crown court Paul Little appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday that of having a knife at Hungerford Town Football Club grounds Magistrates declined further jurisdiction and sent the case to be dealt with by a judge and sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed Mr Little was meanwhile released on bail on condition he does not enter the football club grounds and that he lives and sleeps at his home address Hungerford Rugby Club hosted the Berkshire Under-13s finals day on Sunday with well over 200 players from across the county contesting five trophies Staging the event – the biggest in Berkshire junior rugby – was a first for the Hungerford club who also provided referees – including three juniors – for all five matches Windsor A beat Maidenhead A 35-30 in a fitting Main Cup final with their B teams contesting the Development Shield and Windsor again coming out on top Hungerford Hurricanes just failed to get over the line in the Development final losing 35-25 to Reading in a game which gripped the large crowd from start to finish Newbury Blues were well beaten 40-5 by Bracknell A in the Main Shield final while Newbury Whites lost out 50-35 in an exciting Development Bowl final “We felt honoured to be asked to stage the event and it was a hugely successful day,” said junior chair Helen Daunton “We may be one of the smaller clubs in the county but our hosting and organising drew compliments from so many people but we couldn’t have done it without a small army of helpers from within the club “We think that’s what Hungerford is all about.” Hanwell Town’s nine match unbeaten run came to a disappointing end as they were beaten 2-0 at Hungerford Town on Saturday (22 February 2025) Two goals from Louis McGrory either side of half-time put The Geordies in an unescapable hole they still struggled to create a clear-cut chance after Hungerford were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minutes The hosts came into the game having won seven of their last eight games The run had seen them close in on the playoff places and Hanwell were aware of the challenge they’d be facing at Bulpit Lane The first chance of the game resulted in the opener Louis McGrory fired an instinctive finish past Sam Beasant after a scramble in the box Hungerford kept the momentum for the first twenty minutes having numerous other opportunities to double their lead The Geordies seemed to be struggling with the bobbly were using a variety of long balls and winning the majority of the duels during the opening 20 minutes Hanwell did have the ball in the net with an acrobatic effort from Harry Seabrook following a free kick but the linesman had flagged for an offside in the build-up Rudi Pache was forced off and replaced by top score Jordan Edwards Things didn’t get much better for The Geordies after the break Some clumsy defending saw Hungerford awarded a penalty McGrory stepped up and smashed the ball into the left corner to double the hosts’ lead Jordan Rose thought he had scored a third for Hungerford six minutes later but was flagged offside Hanwell then made three substitutions over the next 10 minutes and began to grow into the game Alfie Pendlebury had a big chance to get Hanwell back into the game but stabbed his effort over the bar former Liverpool forward Jordan Ibe was introduced to a big ovation for the hosts Bulpit Lane when Rose was sent off for a foul on Cheynie Burgin Hanwell controlled possession from then on but struggled to create anything of note Burgin did have a decent chance following a cross but mishit his effort hight and wide The defeat sees The Geordies drop to 12th in the Southern Premier League South On Tuesday they will play Bedfont Sports in the Middlesex County Cup Semi Final SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO THE EALING.NEWS NEWSLETTER EALING.NEWS is the voice of our 7 towns which provides news sign up to our newsletter email us: news@ealing.news call us: 07488 352 974 Follow us on X: @_EalingNews © 2022 - 2025 EALING.NEWS All rights reserved | Part of Your Local News Network | Contact Us We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy town centre piazza were branded a “dead duck” – but suggested this week that rumours of its demise may councillors voted by a majority to withdraw support from the town centre steering group (TCSG) which had been tasked with drawing up a blueprint Current mayor Helen Simpson had told colleagues: “Despite our very best efforts it has become almost impossible to move forward… the TCSG has been unable to work together without disagreement I feel residents would be more interested in the grass being cut and the health and well-being of residents being a higher priority than a future ambition which may or may not be delivered for which there is currently no funding.” A traders’ lobby had vehemently opposed any project which would result in the loss of prized parking spaces Town chamber of commerce chairwoman Karen Salmon said that we’ll be withdrawing from the strategy committee” Hungerford Arcade owner Adrian Gilmour branded the piazza project a “dead duck” who said in 2021: “No change is not an option.” who served as town mayor from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017 said he believed the town must embrace major change in order to thrive in future fellow town councillors and the Town & Manor of Hungerford at the time he suggested a “significant new look and focal point for a pedestrian area” He envisaged that this would stretch from a wide public area in front of the Town Hall and would encompass the service road on which the weekly market is held Mr Crane added: “The complete redesign of the High Street will require careful but imaginative planning to ensure that upon completion it provides a welcoming landscape for residents and visitors alike.” At this month’s full town council meeting councillor James Cole voted to oppose the town council’s withdrawal of support He said: “High Streets are dying; the problem’s not going away.” He said a town square “remains a sensible idea” and that it was “anti-democratic to ignore the wishes of the town as a result of the demands of a very small group of quite heavily vested interests” This week Mr Crane told the Newbury Weekly News: “I will be joining forces with James Cole to continue the fight.” See next week’s NWN for a more detailed update A pensioner killed by smoke inhalation may have died in an arson insurance scam gone wrong was pulled from his blazing home in Priory Avenue an inquest in Reading Town Hall heard on Tuesday Firefighters who later conducted a forensic examination ruled out electrical faults or burning cigarette butts as the cause Instead they found bundles of newspapers with candles beneath them and lighters nearby Neighbour Michelle O’Sullivan said in a statement that her son had alerted her around 11.13am on the day in question saying he could see smoke coming from Mr Smith’s home She added: “I could see all the windows were closed; I banged on a window to get the attention of anyone inside.” As more smoke began pouring from air bricks another neighbour tried to break in but was beaten back by fumes Firefighters arrived within 11 minutes of a 999 call and found Mr Smith lying on his back in an upstairs room Toxicology tests showed no illegal drugs or alcohol in his system and a post mortem examination found he had suffocated from smoke inhalation exacerbated by underlying health conditions Berkshire coroner Heidi Connor said Mr Smith had no history of mental health issues or suicidal ideation The inquest heard there were two seats for the blaze – one in an upstairs bedroom and another in a cupboard Unlit candles were found beneath scrunched up newspapers in other areas of the home but these had not ignited In a cupboard were jackets with scrunched up newspaper stuffed in the sleeves Ms Connor said: “It seems the investigation showed he was in a locked sealed house with the windows and doors locked and that the fires were deliberately started by Geoff.” She asked a family member present whether Mr Smith’s relatives believed Mr Smith had intended to kill himself She replied: “We really think he wasn’t trying to end his life – we thought he was going down the road of an insurance claim Ms Connor said: “It’s likely he set up to light fires in multiple parts of the house “There were newspapers with candles underneath them but the fire services extinguished the fire before it could spread further “The family doesn’t believe it was his intention to end his life that day “I take account of the family’s views; it’s an unusual scenario for someone to take their life in quite this manner “An alternative suggestion for why he might have done this has been suggested by the family today.” She concluded: “Geoffrey Gordon Smith died after deliberately starting fires in his home; his intentions in doing this are unclear.” If we have selected the wrong experience for you Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required Chad is a partner in Deloitte Tax LLP’s international tax practice and is based in San Jose He advises US based multinational companies on the tax planning and tax reporting obligations associated with their global footprint and is the Deloitte Global Pillar Two leader Chad is a national resource for the taxation of the cloud and international accounting for income taxes Chad’s experience includes assisting clients with structuring acquisitions and divestitures developing and executing plans for post-merger integration of acquired companies and assisting companies as they restructure their global supply chains Chad received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Washington and California and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Deloitte Israel Group a leading professional services firms providing a wide range of world-class audit The firm serves domestic and international clients public institutions and promising fast-growth companies whose shares are traded on the Israeli A PERSON is to go on trial accused of stalking a woman Charlie Pennington appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday is accused of pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Amanda Repton Pennington is said to have contacted her via Snapchat and Instagram attended her workplace and home uninvited and loitered near The Hatchet pub in Newbury town centre when she was in attendance in Newbury between July 9 and August 15 last year Pennington spoke only to confirm personal details and to plead not guilty to the single charge They were told the case could proceed no further that day and that it would be adjourned for a trial to be arranged Pennington was meanwhile released on bail with conditions It’s December already and Hungerford’s Christmas lights are back The display is widely considered to be the best in the region The switch-on ceremony took place this year on the steps of the historic town hall starting at 4pm and continuing with a program of festive entertainment until the big moment at 5pm The crowds were entertained by the the Hungerford Town Band the Hungerford Primary School Choir and singer Abbie Cleary Town mayor Helen Simpson welcomed the crowds and the switch on was performed by this year’s Freedom of the Town of Hungerford award winners Tim and Sandy Crouter and Susan Mayes Home Racing News More Than 13,500 Fans Enjoy BetVictor Hungerford Day With Dizzee Rascal Newbury Racecourse welcomed its biggest crowd of the year as BetVictor Hungerford Day arrived on Saturday 17th August with rising star DJ Emily Nash and Mercury Award winner Dizzee Rascal taking to the stage after racing More than 13,500 racing and music fans enjoyed the day’s action the largest attendance at the Berkshire track since 2023’s BetVictor Hungerford Day with Olly Murs Tiber Flow stole the headlines in the day’s feature race taking the £125,000 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes in the closest of finishes Al Aasy impressed while sauntering to victory in the £90,000 BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes as racegoers were treated to another thrilling day’s flat racing Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse commented: “Our music racedays are two of our biggest highlights each year and we’re confident all those racing and music fans who joined us this summer enjoyed two memorable days The big action doesn’t stop at Newbury with the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend BetVictor Flat Finale with Oktoberfest and historic Coral Gold Cup Weekend to come across autumn – we’re looking forward to more memorable moments throughout 2024 Discounted Early Bird tickets are available for all of Newbury’s remaining racedays in 2024 – but racegoers only have until Friday 23rd August to secure the Early Bird rate for September’s Dubai Duty Free International Weekend Discounted Tickets & Hospitality VolkerFitzpatrick has started refurbishment works on the historic 161-year-old Hungerford railway bridge in London bears railway over the Thames River between the South Bank and London Charing Cross station Refurbishment work will be carried out in two phases:  whose infrastructure needs to be maintained for the safety of railway passengers VolkerFitzpatrick will prepare and paint the bridge and replace the pin end caps on the girders The bridge will not close to trains during the first phase and some work will be carried out at night VolkerFitzpatrick will also use barges for some delivery aspects and to remove waste materials on behalf of Network Rail and alongside the Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE) team is scheduled for completion by the end of winter 2028 VolkerFitzpatrick is the Building and Civils partner for the SRE to deliver the southern region’s £9 billion renewals portfolio between 2024 and 2034 “We’re proud to begin the essential refurbishment of such an iconic structure we’re delivering a project that respects history while meeting today’s needs,” said Aaron Dolan In November last year, VolkerFitzpatrick began a more than £100 million M27 Junction 10 upgrade on behalf of Hampshire County Council The project aims to underpin the creation of 6,000 new homes community amenities and job opportunities in the region Before that, the company was appointed to lead the £14 million refurbishment of the A13 River Lea Crossing in East London Was this interesting? Try: Henry administrators seek to clawback £10m from bosses     If you have a tip or story idea that fits with our publication, please contact the news editor rory@wavenews.co.uk  A daily email that makes industry news enjoyable Latest NewsNewslettersCommercial SearchFrome Town 0 - 1 Hungerford TownHarrison RichardsMar 292 min readUpdated: Apr 1 Frome Town fell to a second consecutive one nil defeat as they lost to Hungerford Town at Badgers Hill A second half strike from Jose Marquez secured all three points for the Crusaders as the Robins struggles in front of goal continued when Albie Hopkins possessed a good chance in the fourth minute He also found himself one-on-one after a mistake form the defender ten minutes later but a heavy touch allowed the goalkeeper to claim the ball from him that was until just before the break when Ethan Vaughan chipped a cross towards the back post but could only head straight at the keeper from point blank range A promising first half came to an end; however Frome came out with energy maintaining attacking intent and they created numerous half chances through Albie Hopkins they struggled to convert their pressure into clear cut chances and as the game wore on when a ricochet in the box fell perfectly to Jose Marquez who struggled to mount a response in the closing stages resulting in back to back 1-0 defeats at home with other teams around them also dropping points Attention now turns to Wednesday’s cup final against Weston Super Mare where the Robins will be hoping for a much needed boost Match report and live updates written by Harrison Richards Listen to the latest episode of the Dodge The Question podcast Steve & Zeb review the Somerset Cup semi-final match vs Paulton Rovers https://open.spotify.com/episode/76ldZ0IuOwBuuc11i4Xn22?si=1624d71068f940f1 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-42/id1751186747?i=1000700001556 You can also listen on Frome.FM radio every Friday at 5pm (repeated on Saturday 3pm)  Secure your entry and make the most of hospitality packages for all of our games at Badgers Hill on the Fanbase app and website https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Dashboard Terms and conditions Privacy Covid19 Policy Report It