THE NEW station building at Reading West station is now open following extended works at the site to revamp and improve transport links.
The station on Oxford Road has been undergoing a revamp since August 2021 but, following delays, is now complete.
From today, Tuesday, March 19, the building is open with new ticket gates, an information counter, toilets, and retail space.
The station also features a new bus interchange, including Great Western Railway, who contracted the construction.
The £5 million project saw collaboration between Reading Borough Council and stakeholders in the rail industry, and also included the installation of a new ticket barrier and timetables at the station’s southern entrance on Tilehurst Road.
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 ‘future-proofed’ 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’s 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.”
