PLANS to close the subway underneath Reading’s railway station for 16 weeks have been branded as unacceptable by the Liberal Democrats.
The footpath will shut on Tuesday, May 7, to allow for works to add height to the ceiling ahead of allowing cyclists to use it.
Works are due to be completed on Tuesday, August 20 – the day before people start arriving for Reading Festival.
While welcoming the project, the Liberal Democrats said the long closure is ‘unacceptable’ and the diversion route ‘four times’ longer than the existing route. Instead, they want Network Rail and GWR to permit passengers to walk across the station’s overbridge.
The diversion goes from Station Road, Trooper Potts Way, and then underneath what the Lib Dems says is ‘the filthy, loud and cramped Vastern Road underpass’.
Henry Wright is the party’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Reading Central and local election candidate for Abbey ward.
“There is finally light at the end of the tunnel for improvements to the Reading Station underpass, however the diversion and closure show, once again, Reading Labour’s disdain for walkers and cyclists, and users of the town centre,” he said.
“The length of this closure and the unpleasant diversion route would never be foisted upon motorists in the same way.
“I am demanding the council think again – reduce the length of the closure and put in place a much nicer diversion route for visitors and residents of Abbey ward alike.”
Jo Ramsay, the party’s election candidate for Thames ward, added: “Sixteen weeks is a shockingly long period for the tunnel, which is now a main thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists, to be out of action.
“The council needs to explain what work is planned in there and work with the contractors to minimise the time the tunnel is out of action for residents north and south of the river.”
And Peter De Boiserie – the Lib Dem candidate for Emmer Green – called the duration of the project and its £400,000 cost ‘incomprehensible’.
“The slightest delay with this project will mean it will clash with Reading Festival and cause unprecedented amounts of chaos around the station,” he continued.
“I urge the council to review this and try to reduce the time and cost of this project as much as possible – and create a better alternative diversion route away from the dangerous Vastern Road underpass.”
Any free usage of the station overbridge suggested by the Liberal Democrats would require the cooperation of Network Rail and rail operators, as it is only accessible for train ticket holders.
A Reading Borough Council spokesperson said: “This long-awaited project involves the removal of low-hanging tiles whilst protecting service ducts, improving headroom clearance for users, repairs to floor and wall tiles, improvements to the approaches and signage, repairs and replacement of any lighting and, finally, a deep clean.
“The work will enable the removal of a historic cycling ban and deliver yet another key strategic cycle route through Reading, linking to Christchurch Bridge and Caversham- when complete, the underpass promises to offer a significantly more attractive and welcoming route for residents.
They continued: “As previously publicised, an alternative would have been to maintain partial access at most, but not all times, which would have meant an extra 10 weeks of disruption, £176,000 of additional costs and would have meant the project would not have been completed before the arrival of Reading Festival.
“Following careful consideration, the Council chose to reduce the period of disruption to residents and a timetable which allows work to be complete before Reading Festival.
“In an ideal world, work would have begun earlier however it was delayed following negotiations with Network Rail on final designs, which are now complete.
“We fully appreciate the obvious inconvenience the temporary closure will cause. The Council did everything possible to convince Network Rail to allow residents to use the station as a diversion overbridge as a cut through, however the Council’s request was declined as it would allow travellers access to platforms without payment of fares.
“Network Rail has however agreed to allow disabled users through the station- for other users, the fully signed diversion route is the quickest way available to navigate the closure.
“We ask residents to bear with us while these important improvement works take place.”
