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The multi-million pound upgrade of Reading station will be showcased at a three-day public exhibition from next Thursday
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Showcase for Reading station plans

By Paul Robins
May 12, 2010

The multi-million pound upgrade of Reading station will be showcased at a three-day public exhibition from next Thursday.

The display will give commuters and residents a chance to see Network Rail’s ambitious £848 million modernisation plans – and exclusive images like the one featured here.

The major rail scheme will include the creation of five new platforms and interchanges and two new entrances connected by a passenger footbridge.

Those going along to Reading Town Hall will be able to view the latest artists’ impressions, including images of the new southern station entrance.

Network Rail engineers and project managers will also be on hand to answer questions and visitors will be invited to complete a questionnaire on the project.

Work on the five-year scheme – which will increase the station’s capacity to 35 million passengers a year – is already under way.

Network Rail said the vast majority of the improvement works will be done without affecting train services, although there will be periods of disruption.

The first of these will be at Christmas, when the station will be closed between Christmas Eve and Monday, January 4, for signalling works and the widening of Cow Lane Bridges.

Once the new station is built, work will start on a viaduct to untangle the tracks to the west of the station, and laying the new track for freight trains.

The entire project will be completed by 2016.

Tony Walker, Network Rail’s scheme sponsor, said: “Reading’s residents and commuters were really positive about our plans for the station when we consulted them a couple of years ago.

“I’m keen to give people an update on our scheme and get their views before we start construction in earnest.”

The exhibition will be held in Waterhouse Chamber at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, May 20, from 10am to 4pm, and at Reading station from 5pm to 8pm, on Friday, May 21, from 10am to 8pm and Saturday, May 22, from 10am to 2pm.

probins@reading-epost.co.uk

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all the disruption we ve just faced regarding cow lane ,its going to take another 5 years before anythings done then, does that mean cow lane is going to get worse before i retire from driving around this already gridlocked town

keira skye, reading
20/05/2010 at 07:10

Hornbeam what they try to do now is build moving walkways which are fine for some when working but your stuck when they're not.Also some moving walkways are so steep its difficult to control wheelchairs on decent.Brakes don't allways grip these walkways treads.

bahumbug, Reading
13/05/2010 at 16:13

look at the back of the bridge- small outline with white door. it would be against the law to build one without a lift.

hornbeam, reading
13/05/2010 at 12:53

No lifts at all in that picture - a bridge and 2 angled escalators - no vertical pillar under the bridge so no place for a lift - i think bahhunbug needs to go to the exhibition and point it out

Reading Biker, Reading
13/05/2010 at 11:29

bahumbug,

New footbridge so new lifts.

hornbeam, reading
13/05/2010 at 10:11

See the disabled are left out again with moving stairs ec.t for fit and healthy.While wheelchair passengers and mums with buggies get the same old rusty lift.So much for eqaulity.

bahumbug, Reading
12/05/2010 at 17:18

I hope they can still incorporate the original building within the plans. It's obvious Reading is the 'gateway' to the west of England, South Wales, Bristol, Cheltenham, Worcester, The Malverns and Hereford, lines to the north via Oxford as well as the south coast via Basingstoke or Gatwick. It is very important on the railway map. However - we must remember we've got this new government now - perhaps they might not be so keen?

dodger, south oxfordshire
12/05/2010 at 17:13

Buck,

agree. will be interesting to see what happens. Network rail is still awaiting to see if they will be able to borrow the money needed, as well as making the whole line to oxford, Newbury and the west electrified. There is still, however, the prospect that crossrail will terminate at Heathrow not Maidenhead. At leat the new signals will alow electic trains to come into reading, the new footbridge will be high enough (only reason the one we have is being replaced is that its too low good old BR!), and the new depot will be cabable of maintaining electric trains (indeed there is second hand trains that are currently being used by thameslink that could be used). Also the turbo diesel trains are needed elsewhere and the High speed trains will need more work to keep them going if they are not replaced in 5-7 years. ( they are 30 years old + as it is)Its a shame that the country has lost the best pro-rail transport minister. So it all sounds positive and straightforward doesn't it?

hornbeam, reading
12/05/2010 at 13:53

It's clearly not rush hour or a match day either.

Twyford, Woodley
12/05/2010 at 13:21

Top comment Nimrod! Anyway, please, please, please bring the CrossRail to Reading. I say this not just because I'm Reading born & bred but as anyone knows - you can get to London Paddington, the Midlands, the North (North West and North East & Scotland), Waterloo,Wales and SouthWest, Gatwick, Heathrow, Newbury/ Bedwyn, Dicot/Oxford, Henley-on-Thanes and other local lines from here. And where can you get from Maidenhead? Marlow. One for the new Government to ponder over.