Works delayed on improving Theale Railway Station accessibility

Frustrations have been aired over the delayed construction of a new railway footbridge.

Major works to improve accessibility at Theale railway station were already 10 years overdue when they began last January.

But now they are not expected to be completed until the spring.

Sir Alok Sharma, Conservative MP for Reading West, said: “The redevelopment of Theale station is a classic case study in just how slowly even relatively small infrastructure projects are delivered in our country, with resultant cost increases having to be picked up by the taxpayer.

“We have to get much better at untangling the stifling bureaucracy and red tape in our system, which holds back the time-efficient and cost-effective delivery of infrastructure.”

Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert previously stated he looked forward to welcoming passengers to use the lifts between platforms by early 2024.

But completion of the project, costing £9.5m, has been delayed until the spring – which will be the first time wheelchair users can navigate the station since it opened in 1847.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Plans to build a new footbridge with lifts at Theale station were approved in January 2013 alongside a range of improvements including a new ticket office and expanded car park.

“At this time, funding was only provided for the ticket office and to progress design work for the footbridge.

“A new ticket office was built by Great Western Railway.

“In 2021, £9.5m funding was awarded for Network Rail to build a footbridge and lifts.

“The new facilities are set to open to the public in spring 2024. GWR will then begin work to expand the car park.”