Network Rail is investing £4m in Tilehurst station which will provide greater accessibility for passengers, improving their travel experience

Confirmation of the £4 million investment in step-free access for Tilehurst station has been made by Network Rail and will see new lifts and walkways put in place, making all platforms fully accessible for the first time.

The busy Berkshire station sees approximately half-a-million passengers use it each year and the vital upgrades will support more people to travel by train. Tilehurst is only a seven-minute train ride from Reading station which connects semi-urban areas to mainline services.

The project is set to get underway during spring, subject to a prior approval planning application, and completion is expected during autumn.

Tilehurst station’s step-free access improvements mark the latest investment by Network Rail for the Reading area and will also support the Thames Valley Berkshire Strategic Economic Plan.

The investment programme has also recently seen a new footbridge installed as part of the Great Western Mainline modernisation.

Alan Gough, Network Rail project sponsor, said:

“This project continues our improvements to Tilehurst station and will ensure even more people can use our railway.

“It’s the latest scheme in the Reading area to deliver sustainable travel, reduce congestion on the roads and provide cleaner air in the Thames Valley.

“We will work closely with our partners at Great Western Railway and with the local community to ensure disruption to passengers and local residents and businesses is kept to a minimum during the work.”

Sir Alok Sharma, Member of Parliament for Reading West said:

“Having campaigned for many years for funding for Tilehurst station, I am absolutely delighted that final funding for construction at Tilehurst station has been approved.

“Working with Network Rail and Great Western Railway, I have lobbied the Department for Transport extensively to ensure that funding is provided for the installation of lifts. This is vitally important for many local commuters, particularly wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs and buggies, so I am delighted that we are one step closer to finally improvising accessibility at Tilehurst station.”