More Room for Reading?

March 24th 2006

Reading station’s capacity problems could soon be a thing of the past with the announcement of a £78m expansion plan.

The station is one of the worst bottlenecks on the Great Western line, and Reading council hope to alleviate this with four new platforms and realignment of the tracks. A business case is to be handed to Network Rail for consideration.

Work would involve lengthening and widening one platform, a new island platform and two additional bay platforms. Tracks would be adjusted accordingly to allow more stopping capacity and service flexibility.

The proposals will be considered as part of Network Rail’s national rail review process.

Cllr John Howarth, Reading’s lead member for strategic planning and transport, said: “The plans are affordable, excellent value for money, deliver benefits across a wide area and will underpin Reading’s economic future. I hope we’ll have further progress very soon.”

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