Vital central Reading underpass re-opens
It links the town centre with the north of the town
READING Station’s refurbished underpass has re-opened 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
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. The underpass is a key strategic walking and cycling route between Christchurch Bridge and Caversham, and Reading town centre.
Refurbished
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”.
Comprehensive
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.