Tilehurst Road lights in place longer due to work delays

Two way traffic lights have been in place on the road bridge over the railway in Tilehurst Road since September 26.

The lights are in place so that construction crews can work on improvements to the pedestrian access to Reading West station at Tilehurst Road as part of an upgrade project.

The work was meant to be completed on Monday, November 14.

However, there has been a delay due to heavy rainfall and drainage complications.

Councillors were informed of the delay at a strategic environment, planning and transport committee meeting on Wednesday, November 26.

Councillor James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) questioned who’s responsibility it is for informing the public of the delays – the council or the Great Western Railway, which has contracted the work.

Cllr Moore said: “It does still say that it should be done, and people are saying what’s going on?”

Chris Maddocks, the council’s strategic transport manager, replied that it is the responsibility of GWR.

However, a council leaflet on a lamppost still declares that the work would be completed on November 14.

Reading Borough Council's announcement of the upgrades to the Tilehurst Road entrance of Reading West station. Credit: James Aldridge (Image: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Mr Maddocks said the the rainfall and complications mean the traffic lights will stay there for three to four weeks, with the hope the work will be complete in mid December.

The work involves improving access and establishing a new ticket gate-line at the Tilehurst Road entrance to limit access to the station to paying customers only.

In a response, a spokesperson for GWR said posters informing the public of the delay have been put up in and around the station.

The posters state: "Upgrades to improve the Tilerhurst Road station entrance have been progressing since work began in September.

"Due to the complexity of the works and recent bad weather, this entrance is now expected to reopen in mid-December 2022. 

"Thank you for your continued patience whilst these essential works are carried out. 

"We are sorry for the delays and the additional inconvenience caused." 

According to the GWR spokesperson, posters informing passengers of the work delays were installed on Monday, November 9, with all old posters being removed on that day.

Also, on Friday, November 11, GWR's contractors added posters to the site compound with the same information about the work delays.