Lower Earley

Lower Earley

ASDA Superstore Lower Earley
Lower Earley
 Lower Earley shown within Berkshire
Population 32,036 (2001)
OS grid referenceSU742699
Civil parishEarley
Unitary authorityWokingham
Ceremonial countyBerkshire
RegionSouth East
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town READING
Postcode district RG6
Dialling code 0118
Police Thames Valley
Fire Royal Berkshire
Ambulance South Central
EU Parliament South East England
UK ParliamentWokingham
Reading East
List of places
UK
England
Berkshire

Coordinates: 51°25′26″N 0°56′02″W / 51.424°N 0.934°W / 51.424; -0.934

Lower Earley is a suburb of Reading within the English county of Berkshire. It has a population of around 30,000. and forms a major part of Wokingham Borough. In 2014, the RG6 postcode area (which is nearly coterminous with the area of the civil parish) was rated one of the most desirable postcode areas to live in England.[1]

History

View down Beeston Way in 1982 during the development of Lower Earley

From 1977, the Lower Earley private estate was constructed. Two new primary schools were built (Hawkedon ad Hillside Primary School), together with a large supermarket complex, which opened in 1979, and a sports centre. In 1988, a second shopping area, Maiden Place, opened.[2]

Facilities

Schools

There are two primary schools in Lower Earley, Hawkedon Primary School and Hillside Primary School. An additional secondary school was planned roughly opposite the sports centre next to Rushey Way, possibly on the site next to the police station. However the school never materialised, and the land was built on.[2] The main secondary schools that students from the area attend are The Bulmershe School, Maiden Erlegh School, The Forest School and The Holt School, as well as some students attending the local single-sex grammar schools, Reading School and Kendrick School. There is also a Pre-School next to Chalfont Park.

District Centre

There is a District Centre in the middle of Lower Earley which includes an ASDA Superstore, BP Fuelling Station, Marks & Spencer, McDonalds, Toby Carvery, and Domino's Pizza. There is also a leisure centre behind the District Centre.

Maiden Place Shopping Precinct

The Maiden Place Shopping Precinct was opened in 1988 on Kilnsea Drive due to the demand of the growing population. The Shopping Precinct includes a Sainsburys Local; dentist; pet shop; Indian, Chinese and Fish & Chip takeaways; and an off-licence.

Transport

A Claret 21 service running towards Kilnsea Drive

Lower Earley has two main bus links to Central Reading, the 21, and 19b, run by Reading Buses. Service 21 runs 24/7, starting from Kilnsea Drive to Reading Station via the University. The 19b runs every 45–60 minutes from Asda/Bradmore Way to Reading Station via the Royal Berkshire Hospital.[3] There is also the 919 route which goes from Lower Earley to Reading School.

Reading FC Buses

Reading Buses have also introduced a F33 bus service which serves people wishing to travel to Madjeski Stadium for Reading FC during home matches.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lower Earley.
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