Reading Borough Council has announced it will waive road closure fees for four weekends this summer to help residents host street parties. The initiative will take place in Reading, Berkshire, as part of a national community programme called The Big Lunch 2026.
The council is offering these free road closures for the weekends of 6-7 June, 4-5 July, 11-12 July, and 18-19 July 2026. These dates were selected to encourage residents to organise local gatherings and get to know their neighbours better.
Organisers must submit their applications for the fee-waived road closures by Monday, 20 April 2026. Permission is generally granted for most side streets, so long as the road is not a main through-route or a designated route for public transport.
This project aims to remove the financial and administrative barriers that can often stop people from holding a neighbourhood event. By waiving the standard fees, the council hopes to see celebrations happening across the entire community throughout the summer season.
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