Reading area improvements
As passenger numbers are due to double in the next 20 years, work to improve the railway infrastructure and station environment in the Reading area is due to start in December this year.
Network Rail's work will include the construction of a new track layout and building five new platforms at the station. The station will also benefit from two new entrances and a new passenger footbridge with step free access to platforms.
This major improvement project will ultimately allow more trains to pass through the area, improve punctuality and provide a bigger and more easily accessible station.
Network Rail intends to start the first phase of engineering work during the Christmas and New Year period this year.
While this is great news for our customers in the long term, there will be periods over this Christmas, and at future dates, when we are unlikely to be able to run train services on the sections of the lines while work is being carried out.
How your journey will be affected
We will be providing details of changes to scheduled timetables and alternative travel arrangements in due course, and where possible the work is being planned to coincide with holiday periods when there are fewer people travelling.
Planning continues and we wanted to be able to share this information with you at this stage, so that you are aware that there may be an impact on your journeys.
We should be able to give more details on the work taking place at Christmas in the next few weeks.
Please bear with us during this period, we know this will mean some short term interruption to you services, but the work that Network Rail is carrying out will bring many long term benefits to your train services and the area we serve.
Meet the Manager
To help explain the work that is being undertaken for the Reading redevelopment, and how it will affect journeys over the Christmas and New Year period, there are a series of Meet the Manager sessions taking place at stations and on trains.
Find out about all our Meet the Manager sessions.
Proposed travel alterations
Train timetables and contingency plans are being developed at the moment, but the initial alterations are as follows:
Christmas Day
No services scheduled.
Boxing Day
No services scheduled.
Bank Holidays (Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December 2010)
All train lines through Reading will be closed.
Long distance train services will run to / from London via a diversionary route.
First Great Western will put on alternative transport for local services to, from and through Reading.
Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 December 2010
The same arrangements will operate as per 27 and 28 December.
New Year's Eve
All routes will be open. A Bank Holiday service will operate including additional trains from London.
New Year's Day (Saturday 1 January 2011)
The line between Didcot Parkway and Twyford will be closed.
First Great Western will put on alternative transport between Didcot, Reading and Twyford.
Long distance train services will run to / from London via a diversionary route.
All other routes will be open, with a Bank Holiday service in operation.
Sunday 2 January 2011
The line between Didcot Parkway and Twyford will be closed until midday.
First Great Western will put on alternative transport between Didcot, Reading and Twyford.
Long distance train services will run to / from London via a diversionary route until midday.
All other routes will be open, with a Bank Holiday service in operation.
Monday 3 January 2011 (Bank Holiday)
Reading Station area will be closed overnight.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Normal scheduled trains services are expected to run.
Sign up for our Reading enewsletters
As we get closer to the time when work will start in the Reading area we will publish updates online here, but also by email.
If you would like to receive these enewsletters, simply complete the registration form.
Sign up for Reading area improvements enewsletters.
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