Since news broke that Royal Berkshire Hospital may be relocating, residents have been expressing their views on the supposed move.

The two potential sites for the new hospital are Thames Valley Park at the end of the A3290 between New Town in East Reading and Earley, and Thames Valley Science Park off the M4 in Shinfield.

Thames Valley Park is 2.2 miles from the current site on Craven Road. Meanwhile, Thames Valley Science Park is 3.7 miles away.

Whitley resident Sharon, who is a cancer survivor that was treated at the Royal Berks, said that she would miss the old building if the hospital was to move. 

"It had a really good feel to it," she said. "I can see that work needs to be done especially where they do the chemo. They should put the money into the parts that need fixing up.

"The bus route is also very easy from Whitley to Royal Berks."

Another Whitley resident Christine, 71, who regularly visits the Royal Berkshire Hospital for ongoing treatment, said that she would struggle to get to the other two sites as she currently gets to appointments via mobility scooter. 

"I cut through a park on my way from Whitley and I'm basically there," Christine said. "I would find it really difficult if it were to move. Three miles away is too far for me.

"I am of the view that the money should be put into the current site because it does need work done to it instead of moving the whole thing."

Christine went on to say that as Royal Berks is part of Reading's heritage, money should be spent on improving the building instead of creating a new hospital altogether. 

Laura, who is in her 80s, said that she would also find the move tough due to her walking difficulties. 

Laura doesn't drive so would have to rely on a taxi service to get her to either of the new sites. "The cost and inconvenience of a taxi would be a lot for me," she said. 

Debbie Jenkins, 65, who lives in Whitley, said that the move would also be an inconvenience for her and her mother. 

"Shinfield wouldn't be too far for us but it would be quite difficult," she said. "Couldn't they just modernise the one that's already there?"

However, some did see a few positives to the potential move provided that various issues with the current site are dealt with. 

Reading resident Jill Hopper, 71, said that she is open to the idea of a new hospital provided that the parking is better than what is currently at Royal Berks. 

"It would be good if the parking was better and more accessible," she said. "But it is really useful being there in the centre of Reading. 

"It needs upgrading for sure. So it is probably the best thing to do - to move the hospital and upgrade it."