Media centre

Wednesday 10 Sep 2008

A SHARED VISION BOOSTS THE RAILWAY AT READING

Region & Route:

| Southern

Proposals to deliver the biggest ever investment at Reading are unveiled for the first time today by Network Rail. Backed by the Department for Transport, the scheme aims to boost performance and expand the railway. Five new platforms, an elevated railway, a new station entrance and a new train depot are among a host of improvements presented at Network Rail’s exhibition.

Government officials, rail industry and local leaders have gathered at the event to welcome the proposed plan. Over the next five days at the exhibition, Network Rail will be calling for feedback and support from the public on the proposal before it is finalised.

Preliminary work is underway with construction in full swing in 2010. Once it is completed in 2015, the scheme is set to enable more trains to run through Reading; reduce delays on the Western route; ease overcrowding at the station and help foster economic growth at Reading.

Rupert Walker, project director, Network Rail says, “Today’s announcement marks a new milestone and another step closer to realising the scheme. We are very excited to present a proposal that is shaped with contributions from everyone. Having early open dialogues with the industry, passengers and local community is key for a scheme of this scale and complexity.

“We plan to deliver the project in phases to provide incremental benefits to the public over the next eight years. As we have learnt from major projects that we have managed across the country, we are confident to deliver a better railway that will also cater for tomorrow’s demands.”

Following a series of consultations with the rail industry, Reading Borough Council and local groups, these improvement works are proposed:

- Five new platforms, four serving passengers travelling on express and local services to ease overcrowding by boosting station capacity

- One new southern platform and platforms 4a/b will be lengthened to enable additional and longer trains travelling to and from Waterloo station

- An elevated railway west of Reading station to untangle the paths used by freight and passenger trains and to allow more trains to run to and from London

- Wider Cow Lane Bridges, with two carriageways, cycle way and pavement, making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get through

- New station footbridge with step-free access to link all platforms and the new northern entrance

- Provision for a new entrance to the north of the station, which will improve accessibility to the station and provide a link for pedestrians from Reading town centre to the Thames

- Re-open a railway tunnel at the east of the station for Gatwick rail services and to allow potential for rail services to Heathrow Airport (Airtrack) in the future

- A new train depot that can accommodate more trains and potentially new Inter-city Express trains in the future

Iain Coucher, chief executive, Network Rail says, “More passengers are choosing to travel by rail than at any point since the Second World War and to cater for this success, we need to increase capacity across the railway. This investment in Reading is one of the most important planned for the whole country and will deliver a huge improvement for passengers locally and nationally.”

Cllr Tony Page, lead councillor for planning & transport, Reading Borough Council, says, "Different communities in Reading will gain in different ways, through easier travel, the re-routing of traffic, protected jobs, and a better business and urban environment. I am delighted with the progress we are making working alongside Network Rail and the Department for Transport to deliver this project".

Andrew Haines, chief operating officer, First Great Western says, "The investment in remodelling Reading is vital to provide greater punctuality for the whole of the Great Western railway. The additional capacity that the station will have at the end of the project will allow services to be developed and will provide for the increasing number of passengers wishing to use Reading in the future."

The public exhibition starts today at Waterhouse Chamber, Reading Town Hall and continues on the following days at other locations:

* Thursday, 10.00 - 20.00 - Waterhouse Chamber, Reading Town Hall

* Friday, 10.00 - 18.00 - Council Chamber, Civic Centre

* Saturday, 10.00 - 18.00 - Council Chamber, Civic Centre

* Sunday, 11.00 - 16.00 - Upper Mall, The Oracle

* Monday, 17.00 - 19.00 - Reading Station