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Thursday 22 Oct 2009

READING RAILWAY UPGRADE GIVES FIREFIGHTERS SPACE TO TRAIN

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Reading firefighters got the chance to hone their skills this week as Network Rail gave them a vacant building to use for training purposes.

As part of its plans to modify railway tracks to the west of Reading and build new platforms at the station, Network Rail will demolish a vacant industrial building on Cardiff Road to make way for an access road. Before the building is pulled down, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been given the keys so they can use it for a series of training exercises.

Nick Watts, Network Rail project manager, said: “We’re making a huge investment in the railway at Reading, and it’s great to have the opportunity to help out the Fire and Rescue Service along the way. Our plans for Reading are good news for passengers, who will see more regular and reliable train services.”

Jess James, Caversham Road fire station commander said, “Using buildings such as this allows us to deliver enhanced training in firefighting and search and rescue techniques. This real life environment allows us to train with a variety of specialist equipment as part of our ongoing operational training programme and we’re grateful to Network Rail for allowing us to make use of this building before it is demolished.”

Network Rail’s plans will untangle the complex railway lines at Reading, allowing trains to run more frequently and reducing delays. Reading station will also be improved, gaining five new platforms with step-free access, a new pedestrian bridge between platforms and a new northern entrance.

Over the next two weeks Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters will carry out a number of exercises at the vacant property on Cardiff Road, allowing them to use specialist breathing equipment and simulate real firefighting and rescue situations.