Reading Borough Council Calls for Crossrail to Reach Reading

The case for extending Crossrail from Maidenhead into Reading has been spelled out in a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport. Under current proposals Crossrail will terminate at Maidenhead.

A Crossrail extension west into Reading would:
• Provide much-needed additional rail capacity to Reading and the wider Thames Valley, meaning fewer delays and less overcrowding for passengers
• Acknowledge Reading as a key, major employment centre and destination in the South East
• Make best use of the new Reading Station redevelopment, which brings with it new platforms, increased capacity and provision for a future Crossrail link

The case for extending Crossrail into Reading is being made following the Secretary of State’s announcement on March 26th about future franchising of Great Western Services, after the franchising process was halted and then aborted. In his letter Cllr Page highlights “major local concerns and uncertainty” about the process and seeks clarification on a number of other points, including:

• Provisions in place to provide for the increase in passenger numbers following the significant improvement to rail facilities in Reading
• Progress on Heathrow Airport Western Access and how will this be integrated into the provision of fast services to Reading
• Confirmation on dates for electrification through Reading to various locations and clarification what rolling stock will be available at each stage
• The possibility of limiting non rail use parking at Reading Station car park in the future to ensure adequate parking provision for rail passengers