Great Western Railway confirms opening date for Reading Green Park station

Reading Green Park Station, the first new station in Reading in over 100 years, is set to open on Saturday 27 May.

Reading Green Park Station – the first station to open in Reading since Reading West in July 1906 and the first of three new Great Western Railway (GWR) stations opening this year along with Portway Park & Ride in Bristol and Marsh Barton in Exeter.

It will provide improved sustainable travel options for local 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.

The station, built by Reading Borough Council, Network Rail and GWR, features:

• Two 150m platforms;
• A new fully accessible station building;
• A fully accessible overbridge, providing access to both platforms, via stairs and lifts;
• A bus interchange, taxi rank and cycle parking facilities;
• Two car parks, including 12 blue badge spaces and drop-off parking and long-stay parking for commuters.

The station sits on the Reading to Basingstoke line, with half-hourly services running north to Reading and south to Basingstoke through the day.

The delivery of the station has been made possible by the Council leading alongside the rail industry to secure the approvals, funding and planning permission for the station, as well as managing the construction of the station.

Readers can take a virtual tour of the new facilities here: https://youtu.be/HhaHbppRHT8  and view aerial footage of the entire site here: https://youtu.be/e-33IcK8_2g

Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “I’m thrilled that we finally have an opening date for Reading Green Park Station. This will be Reading’s first brand new station since the opening of Reading West station on 1 July 1906.

“When open for public use from Saturday 27 May, Reading Green Park Station will form an integral part of Reading’s ever-growing sustainable transport infrastructure.

“The new multi-modal interchange will dramatically improve accessibility and connectivity to this important area of south Reading. The future expansion of the business park and residential areas on Green Park, as well as the proposed Royal Elm Park mixed use development, will all benefit from the new station.

“It will also be another option for football fans heading to the Stadium on match days, again taking the pressure off our busy local roads.”

GWR Business Development Director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “New stations such as Reading Green Park are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we all become more mindful to live and travel more sustainably.

“Reading Green Park is one of three GWR stations to open this year along with Marsh Barton in Exeter and Portway Park & Ride in Bristol and we are excited for the benefits these stations will bring to local residents, businesses and leisure travellers in the areas they will serve.”

In addition to Reading Green Park Station, Reading’s public transport offer continues to go from strength to strength, with work on the transformation of Reading West Station continuing at pace and also due to complete this year and the recently completed Elizabeth Line now offering travellers to and from Reading modern trains and a seamless transition into central or east London without having to change to the tube at Paddington.

Photo credit: Great Western Railway

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