Reading

Reading Station Closure

You may have heard that Reading Station will be closed between December 27, 2010 and January 2, 2011.

This is to allow Network Rail to carry out some key work to signaling and the track around the station in preparation for full remodelling of the track and station. When completed in 2016 the extension of the station will mean fewer delays and the capacity for more trains to operate through to London.

We have been working closely with Network Rail to minimise the delay to our customers because of this work as much as possible. For example, the reason the work is happening this year is because the way Christmas falls generates two extra Bank Holidays over the festive period, which is already one of the quietest times on the railway. However, this work needs to be done, and many journeys will be affected.

For the most part we have been able to avoid the use of replacement road transport by bringing West of England services into Waterloo and by travelling via Banbury to London Paddington for Bristol, South Wales and Cotswolds services. This will add around 90 minutes to the usual journey time, but is more convenient than asking people to use buses.

Coaches will operate for local journeys in the Reading area, and we have made arrangements for some temporary platforms at smaller stations and for additional parking space for coaches. We are also training staff to operate on the revised routes and are confident that we will be able to manage the closure with the minimum of inconvenience to our customers.

We've lifted restrictions on our tickets so they will be valid on some other operators' trains, and we are working on a compensation package for season ticket holders in the affected area. We have published details of the changes on our website, and have a programme of Meet the Manager events at stations throughout the network to inform customers of the amended timetable, and all our regular travellers have been sent information about the changes.

Our project team is working very closely with Network Rail to ensure that the station and all lines are reopened in time for commuters travelling back to work on Tuesday 4 January, and we have been able to open the station and the route to London on 31 December to allow for customers enjoying a New Years Eve outing.

Specific timetables are available to download for each area on our website on the following link:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=4888

If you need more details, or have any queries or questions about the closure, please contact Jane Jones on jane.jones@firstgroup.com and she will ensure a full reply

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