READING Borough Council is set to consider proposals to refurbish the subway near Reading Station, it has announced.
Plans to release £200,000 funding for the renovations will be discussed at a policy meeting due to take place on Thursday, December 15.
The walkway which passes under the station is regularly subject to vandalism, including the destruction of the low-hanging ceiling tiles.
Since the walkway was inherited from Network Rail in 2013, the council says it has been a “liability” for them due to maintenance and repair costs.
As well as fixing vandalism, council funding will need to be used to remove the low ceilings, protect service ducts, minor repairs to floors and walls, and improve signage.
New lights will also be installed as part of a separately-funded project which seeks to reduce energy consumption and monitor usage remotely with LED lighting.
As well as the refurbishment, the council is considering proposals to remove the cycling prohibition order which currently prevents cyclists from using the underpass.
The refurbishment will be a necessary part of the removal of the order due to regulations regarding cycle routes and headroom requirements.
The council consultation on the proposed removal of the cycling ban is expected to begin in January.
Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said:
“The work to remove the historic low ceiling tiles which the Council inherited from Network Rail is long overdue and the identification of more than £200,000 of planning agreement funding negotiated by the Council will now make this possible.
“Regular users of the underpass will be familiar with the unsightly ceiling tiles which are routinely vandalised.
He said that he hoped the agreement of investment would make this “a thing of the past.”
“The council is proposing to follow up this substantial investment by removing the historic cycling ban through the underpass, which will be made possible when the lowest tiles are removed.
“I would urge residents and regular users of the underpass to look out for the public consultation on this proposal in the new year.”
Proposals for the underpass’s refurbishment which are due to be discussed on Thursday, December 15, can be viewed online via: democracy.reading.gov.uk/documents
