A modern new station building at Reading West Railway Station is now open to the public.
Delivered by Reading Borough Council alongside Network Rail and Great Western Railways (GWR), the £5 million building includes ticket gates, new lighting and CCTV cameras. GWR said these features would significantly improve the safety and security of the local community and travelling public.
Located on Oxford Road, the new building is the centrepiece of the Reading West station upgrade, and also contains an information counter, customer toilet and retail space.
New ticket gates have been installed at the Oxford Road and Tilehurst Road entrances to ensure that paying passengers only have access to the platforms.
A new bus interchange, improved cycle parking and pedestrian crossing have been added as part of the scheme, along with improvements to the Tilehurst Road entrance.
GWR said that the improvements have been made possible by the Council working with the railway industry to develop a masterplan for the station, secure significant external funding for the current works and deliver the realignment of the highway to provide space for the new station building, interchange improvements and resurfacing of the road and footpath.
Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “Local residents who use Reading West station will notice a big improvement following this major upgrade.
“They will be able to enjoy much better facilities, such as a ticket office and toilets, with the opening of the modern new station building on Oxford Road and improved access from Tilehurst Road.
“Passengers will also notice a more secure and safer environment with the installation of ticket barriers, improved lighting and CCTV cameras.
“We are pleased that the new station building has been ‘futureproofed’ for the installation of lifts and it remains the Council’s ambition, working with our rail partners, for Reading West to become a totally accessible station.”
GWR Business Development Director Tom Pierpoint, said: “We’re delighted to officially reopen this station, and the major improvements you can see around me – providing a newer, brighter, safer station environment, with modern facilities for all who use it.
“Reading West is a very important station for both residents and visitors and we are delighted to have been able to work with Reading Borough Council, the LEP, the Department for Transport and Network Rail to deliver these improvements.
“We know that working together means we can deliver more and we are committed to a cooperative, collaborative approach with the communities we serve.”
Network Rail sponsor, Jon Higham, said: “Reading West new station building is now complete, these changes will benefit passengers and the local communities. It has been an honour to work with our partners to deliver these improvements to Reading West.”
Alison Webster, Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Local commuter stations, such as Reading West, are critical in providing access to major employment and commercial centres.
“Berkshire LEP is delighted to have invested £3.1 million of the Government’s Local Growth Fund to support improvements at Reading West.
“Through improvements in accessibility, stations can accommodate more passengers to meet increased travel demand, making it easier for commuters to make green travel choices over personal car use and so support sustainable economic growth.”
Encouraging use of public transport, including trains, through improved services is one of the key elements of Reading’s Transport Strategy and plays a vital role in our ambition to make Reading net zero carbon by 2030.
The Council worked with Network Rail and Great Western Railway to open the new Green Park Station in May 2023 and Network Rail is currently working on the installation of passenger lifts at Tilehurst station.
SLC, the rail development and delivery specialist, has played a pivotal role in assisting Great Western Railway (GWR) in fulfilling its obligations under the Railway Interoperability Regulations (RIR) for the redevelopment of Reading West station.
Over the last year, SLC Rail has successfully supported the station in obtaining Authorisation to Place Into Service (APIS) from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in less than the 20-day guidance.
APIS, mandated by the ORR, serves as a vital validation for railway stations, infrastructure, or rolling stock, affirming compliance with rigorous standards encompassing aspects such as health and safety, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and technical compatibility.
Nathan Godley, Project Manager at SLC Rail, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in this project, ensuring that the design and construction deliverables align with the requirements of Persons of Reduced Mobility (PRM) National Technical Specification Notices (NTSNs). With our extensive experience across numerous projects, we understand the criticality of compliance from an entry-into-service standpoint.
“The successful attainment of APIS in less than the normal 20-day guidance, shows the significance of collaboration, as we’ve worked closely with key partners, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders every step of the way. It’s been a rewarding journey and I’m looking forward to seeing passengers use this station soon.”
Tom Pierpoint, Business Development Portfolio Director at GWR, said: “This is an essential part of the project, and it was invaluable to have SLC’s expertise ensuring that we have everything in place and to railway standards to open this station as quickly and as safely as possible. Their contribution has been instrumental in supporting this project.”
The upgrades to Reading West station encompass a station building, housing a modern ticket office and ticket machines, complemented by enhanced signage, lighting infrastructure, and comprehensive CCTV coverage throughout the premises. The new station building is due to open on Tuesday 19 March.
