MORE GOOD NEWS FOR NETWORK RAIL'S READING REVAMP AS TRANSPORT SECRETARY SUPPORTS PROGRESS

Friday 2 Oct 2009

MORE GOOD NEWS FOR NETWORK RAIL'S READING REVAMP AS TRANSPORT SECRETARY SUPPORTS PROGRESS

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

Plans to transform the rail network at Reading came a step closer this week, as the transport secretary decided to make an order which will give Network Rail powers to acquire land for its scheme.

Network Rail’s plans will mean more frequent trains and fewer delays for passengers in Reading, as well as improvements to Reading station including five new platforms with step-free access. Reading Borough Council also has plans to redevelop the station concourse that were approved last week.

Network Rail major project director, Robbie Burns, said: “This decision is an important milestone in the upgrade of the railway at Reading. Our plans will radically improve services for passengers, delivering more trains, faster journey times and a better station.”

Notes to editors

1. Demand on the railway at Reading is expected to double over the next 20 years and the network requires a major upgrade to accommodate this growth. Network Rail’s plans include new track, a new signalling centre and new platforms at Reading station, all of which will enable both passenger and freight trains to run more frequently and reliably.

2. The Transport and Works Act Order will give Network Rail powers to acquire or secure temporary access to land required for the Reading scheme.

3. Further details are available at: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/59199/notices/932233/recent=10;category=transport;subcategory=acts

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About Network Rail

We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.

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