Newbury Weekly News 110517

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Newbury Weekly News

Trust in talks to take over Corn Exchange

Motorists warned of M4 closure DRIVERS are being warned to expect delays as a stretch of the M4 through West Berkshire will be closed for the weekend. The busy motorway will be closed in both directions between junction 12 (Theale) and junction 13 (Chieve- ley) as part of a Highways England scheme to maintain two bridges. The closure will come into force from 9pm tomorrow (Friday) until 6am on Monday, and is to allow new beams to be lifted into position on two bridges that carry the M4 over Dark Lane and Ashampstead Road. Highways England said that clearly-signed diversions will be in place to take traffic along the A4 to rejoin the motorway at Chieveley or Theale. It is also advising drivers to plan their journeys in advance, and to leave extra time or take an alterna- tive route as delays are expected. A spokesman said: “Replacing parts of the bridge that span both carriageways is a large and complex task, so it is essential the M4 is closed to ensure maximum safety for road users and our road workers. “Highways England has worked closely with the local councils, the police and other stakeholders to ensure disruption is kept to a mini- mum during the work.” Dark Lane and Ashampstead Road are due to be reopened on Tuesday, June 6, weather permit- ting. This the second time this stretch of the M4 has been closed this year. The motorway was expected to have closed from March 31 to April 3, however, Highways England finished the work ahead of schedule and the road reopened at 3am on April 2. Some motorists reported taking two hours to travel from Theale to Newbury, while others said they avoided local roads altogether.

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WestBerkshire Council could hand overbuilding tosafeguard itsfuture

Report by CHRISORD email chris.ord@newbur ynews.co.uk twitter @chriso_nwn

WEST Berkshire Council and The Corn Exchange Trust have started talks which could lead to ownership of the landmark Newbury building being transferred to the trust. The discussions come just weeks after the cash-strapped local authority said it would be reducing its funding to the Corn Exchange by £78,000 over the next two years. Co-director at the Corn Exchange, Grant Brisland, said the trust had asked West Berkshire Council to consider transferring the ownership of the building to it, in an attempt to safeguard its future in a climate of continued funding reductions. Mr Brisland added: “We understand that ongoing annual funding is going to be a huge challenge for West Berk- shire Council and our proposal offers a solution that reduces their liability, while ensuring that the Corn Exchange’s creative offering in the district will continue to thrive.” Fellow co-director Katy Griffiths said: “We do understand that West Berkshire Council has to make diffi- cult choices, but it remains very hard for a small charitable arts organisa- tion like the Corn Exchange to manage a cut at this level at short notice. “We will be renewing our fundrais- ing efforts and remain focused on our long-term plans and future sustain- ability.” The performing arts venue is owned by West Berkshire Council, but has been run by the trust since 2000. The council will continue to provide annual funding of £174,000 until 2018/19.

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NEWSDESK (01635) 564527

TheCornExchange inMarket Place

“We have to balance competing needs for our resources and we believe transferring the ownership of the Corn Exchange will help the trust in the long term. “We’re grateful to the Corn Exchange for understanding the diffi- cult position we find ourselves in and look forward to continue working with them in the coming years.” The Corn Exchange recently announced a partnership with Green- ham Common Trust to develop a new visual arts and crafts facility at Green- ham Business Park, and the launch of a new learning centre in Market Place. n Love Your Corn Exchange appeal launched, see page 35.

A decision on the future of the build- ing will be made by the end of 2017 and will include a period of public consul- tation to give local people a chance to have their say. Speaking on behalf of West Berk- shire Council, culture and libraries manager Paul James said: “The Corn Exchange is a local organisation with a national reputation. “We are proud to have them in the district and want to support them where we can. “Over the past two years it has been increasingly hard for us to provide financial support because of an increasing demand for our services and, particularly, social care for our most vulnerable residents.

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