Reading West transformation update

Work is underway on a new station building at Reading West as part of a £4.1 million transformation.

A steel frame has now been erected on the Oxford Road side of the station as the building – which will include a brand new ticket hall and retail outlet – begins to take shape.

Great Western Railway (GWR), Reading Borough Council, Network Rail and Berkshire LEP have been working in partnership on the new-look and a safer station environment, which is expected to be finished by next spring.

GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “The installation of the station building’s steel frame really does feel like a milestone moment and it’s exciting to see work moving at such a quick pace.

“We’ve been working very closely with Reading Borough Council and Network Rail to deliver this transformation and we hope customers will be pleased with the results as the new-look station continues to take shape during the winter.”

The project includes new ticket gates to the Oxford Road and Tilehurst Road entrances which will allow only ticket holders access to the platforms, which is not currently the case. This will help significantly improve safety and security at the station. Other improvements include enhanced CCTV coverage and lighting. 

The Tilehurst Road entrance to Reading West is set to reopen in the next couple of weeks, when residents from the Tilehurst Road and Southcote side can begin accessing the station, although works to the ticket gates will continue until April next year.

The pavement on the south side of Oxford Road remains out of use as building work continues. 

Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, Tony Page, said: “Residents will be pleased to see the new station building at Reading West begin to take shape, which follows the Council’s own preparatory works earlier this year.

“When complete, residents and regular commuters can look forward to a much-improved and safer station environment, delivered through the design and operation of Reading West. Aside from the brand-new station building, this will include new ticket gates to limit station access to paying customers, new lighting, CCTV, toilets, a retail facility and better waiting areas.

“I am additionally pleased that local residents approaching from Southcote and the Tilehurst Road side will soon be able to access Reading West again, and we thank them for their patience while these improvement works take place.”

Berkshire LEP Chief Executive, Alison Webster, said: “It’s fantastic to see progress at Reading West station. This scheme is a great opportunity to deliver more than transport benefits through developing the station into a focal point for the local community. Reading West station will now be able to act as a catalyst for wider development and regeneration, including Oxford Road itself and the Portman Road Employment Area.”

Network Rail industry programme director – Heathrow & Thames Valley, Joanna Grew, said: “It’s really pleasing to see the progress being made on the new station building at Reading West.

“The Thames Valley rail corridor is a very busy part of the rail network serving many commuters and local residents and the prospect of this transformed station opening next spring is very exciting.”

Photo credit: Great Western Railway

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