Council opens new 'energy-efficient' office

Council staff and staff from Volker Highways, Tivoli and FCC Environment toured the new facilities

A council said a new office at a depot is "one of the most energy-efficient council buildings in the borough".

Wokingham Borough Council officially opened the facility at Toutley Depot, which it will share with contractors including Volker Highways, Tivoli and FCC Environment.

It can accommodate up to 150 people and replaces the previous 1970s building, which the local authority said had reached the end of its life.

Katrin Harding, executive member for environment and climate emergency, said it would "help reduce our carbon footprint and keep running costs down".

The council said the offices had been designed with sustainability and flexibility in mind and featured an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC A) rating - the highest energy efficiency score for a property.

It added that put it among "the top one percent most energy-efficient buildings in the UK".

The depot also houses the council's fleet of gritters, bin lorries, response vehicles and road sweepers

The offices have modular insulated construction, air source heat pumps, 12 electric vehicle charging points, sensor-based lighting and are ready for future solar panels.

The interior includes open-plan workspaces and the depot also houses the council's fleet of gritters, bin lorries, response vehicles and road sweepers.

Wokingham Council's executive member for highways Adrian Betteridge said they had also included cycling facilities and EV charging points for sustainable travel.

The relocation marks the completion of the first phase of the project.

In the second, which is under way, a new salt barn, will involve improved internal and external storage areas and better fleet parking.