READING West MP Sir Alok Sharma visited Theale on Friday, June 16, to see if things were on track with accessibility improvements.
Following nearly 10 years of campaigning with Theale Parish Council, West Berkshire Council, and campaign group Theale’s Future for better accessibility at Theale Station, Mr Sharma visited to see how improvements were progressing.
Theale was one of three stations in West Berkshire and the borough of Reading which saw a share of £18million of investment from the Department of Transport in 2018, with works getting underway at the station back in January this year.
Now works have begun, the station is set to see a new accessible footbridge, lifts, a new ticket office, expanded parking capacity, and better access for buses and taxis.
There is also work to make platforms wider, with the entire project expected to be completed in early 2024.
Mr Sharma said of the works’ progress: “I am delighted that work to improve accessibility at Theale Station is well underway.
“Having campaigned hard over many years to win Government funding for this project it is great to see it finally coming to fruition.
“I know that the upgrades will benefit greatly commuters, especially wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.”
Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert said: “Work has been progressing well at Theale station with the first major set of works taking place over the weekend.
“This includes 3 new lift towers and support columns being installed– work will continue now over the coming weeks and months to provide passengers with a fully accessible station.
“We look forward to welcoming passengers being able to use the lifts between platforms from early 2024.”
