When to expect Reading West station project to be complete

The project to upgrade Reading West Station began in October 2020 and is now near being ready.

The station has until now been accessed from stairs and ramps from entry and exits at Oxford Road and a single point at Tilehurst Road.

The upgrade will create an all new station building in Oxford Road, which will house  ticket purchasing facilities and retail outlet, which is due to be completed in early Spring.

Images provided by GWR show the new building being constructed with much of its brick structure being established.

Crews working on the new building for Reading West train station. Credit: Great Western Railway

Towards the end of last year, work was completed on establishing ticket gating on the Tilehurst Road side of the station.

The entrance was closed in September, and was meant to reopen in November, but extremely wet weather meant the Tilehurst Road entrance was re-established in December instead.

READ MORE: Train station works run over due to extreme wet weather

The station upgrade, being undertaken by the Great Western Railway (GWR), will not lead to an increase in train capacity at the station.

The spokesperson explained: “The station improvements are designed to create a much safer and more welcoming environment.

“Ticket gates on both sides of the station will allow ticket holders access to the platforms.

“Other improvements include enhanced CCTV coverage and lighting.”

The upgrade has proven controversial with accessibility groups as Reading West station does not have a disabled access and wheelchair accessible lift to take passengers between platforms.

There will still be no disabled access between platforms despite the upgrade.

However, the GWR spokesperson said that when a station is not accessible, its standard policy is to arrange for a taxi to take people to the nearest accessible station and provide them with alternative transport back.

The spokesperson added: “We also have a mobile assistance team for customers who require help, who can come and meet them at the station and assist them with their journey.”

READ MORE: Reading's latest station is the first to open in 116 years

Tom Pierpoint, GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, said: “It has been exciting to see the new building on the Oxford Road side of the station taking shape at such a rapid pace.

“We continue to work closely with Reading Borough Council and Network Rail to deliver this transformation and we hope customers will be pleased with the results when the new-look station is completed.”

Reading West Station serves GWR trains running on the Reading to Taunton and Reading to Basingstoke lines.

The Reading to Taunton line sees trains passing through Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford in West Berkshire.