Government pledges £9.6m to Reading train station improvements

Date: 16/12/2010

Upgrade works to Reading station came one step closer to becoming a reality today (December 16th) after the government pledged an investment of £9.6 million in the project.

The Department for Transport claims the improvements to the major rail hub will make access easier for road users, pedestrians and cyclists.

Changes include new interchanges with direct access to the northern and south-western station entrances, increased bike storage and a junction providing access to a new doorway.

Norman Baker, the Local Transport Minister, said he was pleased to announce the state investment and thereby encourage rail travel, which will "help economic growth and cut carbon".

The way in which Reading Borough Council has worked to reduce the costs of the scheme by £3.2 million has set "an excellent example for other local authorities to follow," he added.

Earlier this month, Transport Minister Philip Hammond stated a new review of rail operations had identified some £1 billion in potential savings.

Posted by Mary Treen