READING’S newest station has been a massive hit, and not just with football fans.
Green Park opened in May last year, and in that time, it has seen 159,724 passengers use it to make a journey – in line with its target. It was the first new station in Reading for 116 years.
It serves passengers on the Reading to Basingstoke lines, and there are half-hourly services every day.
To celebrate the first anniversary, representatives from Reading Football Club, Great Western Railway, and Reading Borough Council came together to model with football shirts showcasing the success.
Keen Royals fan and the council’s lead for climate strategy and transport, Cllr John Ennis, said:
“The opening of Reading Green Park station has provided a great extra travel option for residents and businesses in south Reading, as well as football fans travelling to Reading FC games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
“People will choose sustainable ways of travelling if they are good quality and easy and convenient to use.”
He continued: “Reading Council has introduced the Buzz 9 bus route to service Reading Green Park station and recently worked with Great Western Railway and Network Rail on the excellent upgrade of Reading West station.
“We will continue to work with our partners to improve public transport and active travel options in Reading to cut carbon emissions, reduce air pollution and benefit residents’ health.”
The success has been welcomed by GWR Regional Development Manager Eleanor Wills, who said such new stations are vital as people want to travel more sustainably.
“Reading Green Park is a real success story and these passenger numbers clearly show how important good transport links are for the local economy, to local people, businesses and the wider community,” she said.
The new station benefits residents and businesses in the Green Park area, as well as fans attending events at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, home of Reading Football Club.
In March GWR opened its new Reading West station building, including ticket gates, lighting and CCTV cameras.
Joanna Grew, Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director for the Thames Valley said: “A growing railway network is good for passengers, the economy and the environment. And Reading Green Park’s success shows what’s possible when you closely collaborate with partners such as Reading Borough Council and GWR.
“It’s a model we are using right across the Thames Valley for the benefit of all our customers.”
