The first phase of the Thames Valley Science Park (www.tvsp.co.uk) development is nearing completion, following the recent topping-out of the Gateway building.

Located near the M4 in Shinfield, the scheme forms a “significant” part of the University of Reading’s efforts to further encourage interaction between business and academia.

Once completed, the Science Park will provide 800,000ft² of laboratory and office space in a campus-style setting.

The three-storey 48,000ft² Gateway building is the first of four on the 47-acre site.

Park director David Gillham said: “It is great to see such fantastic progress being made on the first phase of the park. We look forward to welcoming our first tenants later this year, as our community of innovative technology-based companies begins to come together.”