Improved Reading Station Underpass Reopens Tomorrow
- Underpass will be open to cyclists as well as pedestrians from Tuesday 20 August
- £400,000 project completed on schedule ahead of Reading Festival
- Work included removing low hanging ceiling tiles and improving floor and wall tiles, approaches and signage
READING Station’s fully refurbished underpass reopens to the public tomorrow, Tuesday 20 August, after weeks of Council improvement work.
The £400,000 project has seen:
- Removal of low-hanging ceiling tiles which were regularly vandalised
- Headroom clearance significantly improved
- Repairs to floor and wall tiles
- Improvements to approaches from both directions
- New, clearer signage to help visitors navigate the area
- Opening of the subway to cyclists
Whilst the underpass refurbishment work took place, the busy through route also received a deep clean with the whole subway steam cleaned and lines repainted.
The 14-week improvement programme has been completed on schedule to reopen in time for the Reading Festival this week, where it is a crucial access route for visitors wanting to catch shuttle buses and taxis to the Richfield Avenue site.
In a major change, for the first time cyclists will officially be able to use the underpass, with some of the project work dedicated to ensuring pedestrians and bicycles can both use the underpass safely alongside each other. This is designed to make walking and cycling through Reading easier and quicker for everyone and further cements the Council’s commitment to active travel. The underpass is a key strategic walking and cycling route between Christchurch Bridge and Caversham, and Reading town centre.
A public consultation last year showed that 73% of respondents were in favour of removing the historic cycle ban through the subway, and from tomorrow cyclists will be able to use the underpass legally.
Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, said:
“Station underpass users will be delighted to hear that this crucial access route is back open. I’m pleased we’ve been able to deliver this important and extensive project on budget and on schedule, in time for this week’s Reading Festival.
“The refurbished underpass is a significantly more welcoming and refreshed route for all parties in facilitating both sides of the station. I’m really happy we’ve been able to respond to the long-desired wishes of so many residents to open up the subway for cyclists. This vital change has now delivered another key strategic cycle route through the town, linking Christchurch Bridge and the Caversham side of Reading Station directly to Reading’s vibrant Town Centre.
“Thank you to all residents for their patience whilst we made these improvements. I do hope you’ll enjoy the difference next time you use the subway and agree that the inconvenience was worth the wait in the end”.
John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:
“The station underpass may cover a relatively short distance but it will make a big difference to cyclists travelling between Christchurch Bridge and the Caversham side of the station, and the town centre.
“This is part of the Council’s aim to link up cycle paths wherever possible to create a comprehensive cycle network across the borough and beyond. Making cycling and walking around Reading easier, safer and more attractive is vital to encourage more people to choose active travel, and in turn reduce carbon emissions and improve the health and wellbeing of residents”.
The joint venture delivering the Station Hill development provided a contribution to fund the underpass upgrade through its original planning agreement with Reading Borough Council.
A spokesperson on behalf of the joint venture delivering the Station Hill development in Reading, said:
“It’s great to hear that the Council has been able to use funding provided by the Station Hill development to help upgrade the underpass beneath Reading station for both pedestrians and cyclists alike. Looking ahead to the completion of works to deliver the ONE Station Hill office scheme and the associated public realm later this year, the upgrade delivered by the Council hopefully offers a significantly enhanced north-south route for anyone wishing to visit Station Hill and the central Reading area in the future.”