Work on £36m Thames Valley Science Park begins

The new site, south of the M4 in Shinfield, will eventually provide 800,000 sq ft (74,000 sq m) of laboratory and office space

Work has started on a £36m science park which is set to employ 5,000 people.

Development on the Berkshire-based Thames Valley Science Park began on Wednesday after a bridge over the M4 opened for construction traffic.

The 42-acre site, funded by Reading University, will include laboratories and conference facilities.

The first phase of the project will cost £36m to complete, while expansion over the next 15-20 years will cost a further £100m.

Director of Thames Valley Science Park David Gillham said that the park will provide future employment opportunities for Reading students

Director of Reading Science Park, David Gillham, said: "Three months ago this was a farmer's field. This has been a long-term ambition of the Reading University to develop of science park.

"It's of benefit to us in terms of collaboration [with businesses] and future employment for our students.

The new bridge, built for construction traffic, has been named after Reading University