ACTION STATIONS FOR READING AS COUNCIL GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO REDEVELOPMENT PLANS

Friday 15 Oct 2010

ACTION STATIONS FOR READING AS COUNCIL GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO REDEVELOPMENT PLANS

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Western; | Wales & Western

Plans to redevelop Reading station and the surrounding railway took a significant step forward this week as Reading Borough Council granted approval for the station element of the scheme.

Network Rail is building a bigger, more spacious station for Reading with new platforms, entrances, and a wider passenger footbridge. The station is a key element of a package of improvements to Reading’s railway which include a viaduct to the west of the station to boost capacity and cut delays through Reading.

Tony Walker, Network Rail scheme sponsor for the Reading project said: “The council’s decision means we can press on with our plans for Reading and get started on work to improve the station next year.

“The fact that consent has been granted so quickly is thanks to the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes so that our plans are right for Reading, and we appreciate the strong support we’ve had from the council in developing this scheme.

“It’s full steam ahead for the project now. We’ve already done a lot of preparatory work and we’re gearing up to complete enabling works for the scheme at Christmas this year.”

Work on the station is due to start in early 2011, following the completion of enabling works for the project over the Christmas 2010-11 period. The Christmas works will see signalling control for the entire Reading area transferred to a brand new signalling centre at Didcot, meaning the current signal box at Reading can be demolished to make way for new platforms. Network Rail engineers will also use the Christmas period to install a new bridge over Caversham Road to make space for new track and platforms at the station.

Planning consent for the station scheme represents a significant step towards a green light for the entire Reading project. Applications for the train depot and viaduct elements of the scheme will be considered by Reading Borough Council over the coming months.

Notes to editors

Network Rail’s work at Reading over the 2010-11 will have a significant impact on train services, with no trains able to serve the Station between 27 – 30 December, and a reduced service over the New Year weekend. Passengers should check before they travel at nationalrail.co.uk.
Work over Christmas will also require the closure of part of Caversham Road from New Years Eve until 2 January.
More information about work to improve Reading’s railway can be found at networkrail.co.uk/reading.

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