Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Some more photos have come up on http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=501601&page=7

[IndustryInsider]

[centralman]

Thats some good info.. I guess you work at Reading. Do you know who will be doing the voices on the new PA^▸ (Public Address) system and is Phil staying?

_{Edited to remove quoted image - the comment above had got a little lost! i_b}

[BerkshireBugsy]

Thanks for all the info in this thread -  at the moment I travel through RDG^‡(resolve) every day and am often curious to know what is happening "behind the hoardings"!

[paul7575]

New platform 4 is making steady progress, front and rear walls of the platform structure look pretty much complete beyond the Vastern Rd bridge, progressing towards the station as shown in the attached snapshot below.  It seems a very substantial build, with fairly massive concrete footings, and you can see all the vertical rebar that will presumably be embedding within the walls...

Paul

[bobm]

Just as an aside the renumbered platforms are now showing on the National Rail Journey planner for services after Christmas.

[paul7575]

I don't think this has been mentioned, but DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have just confirmed the funding for Reading BC's works outside the station - last heard these were awaiting final approval...

The improvements include:
 ^direct access to the new northern and south-western station entrances.
 ^ safe, secure and step-free pedestrian access
 ^ new and improved walking and cycling routes
 ^ significantly increased secure cycle parking provision
 ^ a new junction providing access to the new northern entrance.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111004

[paul7575]

Just as an aside the renumbered platforms are now showing on the National Rail Journey planner for services after Christmas.

For those who hadn't realised already the current platform 6 is going to be temporarily renumbered to 16 (while it remains in use), as number 6 is transferred to what is currently 4A.   All other platform number changes are there as expected, ie 4 to 7, 5 to 8, 8/9/10 to 9/10/11.

Nearly all the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services that previously used the closed bay platform 7 will use platform 3 instead - this is currently used mainly by the 2 hourly Southampton bound extended services, the slight problem is that there isn't a huge amount of waiting space as it is back to back with the main down platform.  Passenger info systems are pretty sparse down that end as they only display on the up facing side...

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

I predict a lot of confused staff who've got used to the old number system for so long.  In the future, I myself will find it very hard not to say 4a or 4b for Waterloo when asked!  Overall though, it's going to be a better system in the long run.

I'm not sure the link was posted on here when it was released, but there's a relatively new NR^» (Network Rail - home page) video of the Reading remodelling, which gives the best impression yet of the new overbridge and platform layouts:  http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6339.aspx  - note that you need to click on the right-hand video (which looks like it links to the older video for last Xmas' bridge replacement), as they've got them the wrong way round on the site!

Nearly all the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services that previously used the closed bay platform 7 will use platform 3 instead - this is currently used mainly by the 2 hourly Southampton bound extended services, the slight problem is that there isn't a huge amount of waiting space as it is back to back with the main down platform.  Passenger info systems are pretty sparse down that end as they only display on the up facing side...

The same can be said about the info systems on Platform 7 though.

[BerkshireBugsy]

For those who hadn't realised already the current platform 6 is going to be temporarily renumbered to 16 (while it remains in use), as number 6 is transferred to what is currently 4A.   All other platform number changes are there as expected, ie 4 to 7, 5 to 8, 8/9/10 to 9/10/11.


Paul

So when I resume my daily commute from THA to REI changing at RDG^‡(resolve) I must remember that when the CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) says platform 6 it has moved! Sounds obvious in the cold light of day but when I arrive at RDG at 615am I'm not sure it will be that clear!

[SandTEngineer]

...and of course details of the Christmas platform alterations are here http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=5297

[IndustryInsider]

[paul7575]

That picture of the new P4 etc seems to show a shelter over some steps at the London end of P5/6.  Is that an emergency exit perhaps?  Don't think I've seen that before.   

However I did previously hear that there is a new box section subway being driven right under the railway at about that point...

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Well spotted, Paul.  I'd just thought it was a waiting shelter but you can see what appear to be steps on closer inspection.  The rules on emergency exits are much stricter these days, though I hope it is suitably blocked off in normal situations so the local oiks don't abuse it and get out of the station scott free.

[paul7575]

On second thoughts the most secure set up might be an emergency route between the two platforms, ie 4 and 5/6.  I did see some detailed plans recently of what they are going to build at London Bridge, and there are escape routes shown at the ends of all the island and bay platforms there - but they connect them together rather than directly to the 'outside world'...

I do find it odd that there have been no drawings surfaced on Reading BC's website, although most of the work is permitted development, there is still normally a rubber stamping approval process involving the planning department.

See later post 

Paul