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Monday 19 Aug 2024

Station staff prepare for high volume of passengers this week, as revellers head to Reading Festival and Notting Hill Carnival

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Western

Thousands of excited revellers will pass through Reading and London Paddington stations this week ahead of Reading Festival, which takes place from Friday 23 August – Sunday 25 August, and Notting Hill Carnival, held in west London on Sunday 25 August and Monday 26 August.

Those attending Reading Festival and arriving in the city by train can either walk approximately 20 minutes from the station to the festival site or catch a dedicated shuttle bus from the Northern exit of the station, with additional station staff on hand to direct passengers to get to where they need to be.

Paddington station is expected to be busier than an average Sunday on 25 August and on the bank holiday Monday, as passengers heading to the festivities of Notting Hill Carnival use Transport for London’s Elizabeth Line to get to the event.

Bernadette Sachse, Network Rail’s Reading station manager, said: “We’re expecting to see thousands of extra passengers passing through Reading station this bank holiday weekend on their way to the music festival. With Notting Hill Carnival also taking place, passengers should plan for both Reading and London Paddington to be busier than usual.

“It’s important that people get to where they need to be safely, and to support the high volumes of passengers we will have extra customer support services in action throughout the bank holiday weekend to make sure our stations are a welcoming environment for all who visit. Passengers are also advised to check their journeys with National Rail Enquiries to ensure they’re able to get to their destinations as smoothly as possible.

“We hope everyone has a fantastic weekend at both events and remind passengers to stay safe when travelling. If you have luggage with you, please use the lifts and make sure to stand back from the platform edge.”

GWR Reading station manager John Gadd said:

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to Reading Station for the festival. To try to keep everyone as safe as possible, please allow extra time for your journey home as a queuing system will be in operation on Monday.

“To help you board safely and allow space for others, please do not bring excessive amounts of luggage.”

Passengers who are planning to travel over the bank holiday weekend are being urged to stay safe around the tracks, platforms and concourse – both on the way to the festival and Notting Hill Carnival and on the way home.

More passenger advice from GWR is available here.