Reading: Queen To Open Station

17 July 2014, 07:19

The £900 million redevelopment of Reading rail station is to be officially opened by the Queen.

Reading station in Berkshire has been transformed as part of Network Rail (NR's) upgrade of the Great Western main line.

Improvements include two new entrances, five additional platforms and new retail outlets.

There is also a new 300ft-long, 10ft-wide passenger bridge which provides step-free access to the new platforms.

The redevelopment also includes the construction of a viaduct flyover to the west of the station.

This will cut delays caused by current congestion on the tracks and create more capacity by carrying fast passenger services from cities including Bristol and Cardiff to Newbury, Basingstoke and the south west of England.

The viaduct is set to be completed in 2015.

During her visit, the Queen will name a new High Output Plant system (HOPS) train.

Described as "a factory on rails'' and the first of its kind on Britain's railways, the train will be used to reduce the time it will take to electrify the Great Western main line.

NR has worked with German manufacturer Windhoff to develop the HOPS train.