On Friday 16 June, Sir Alok Sharma, Member of Parliament for Reading West, went to see first-hand the progress being made on accessibility works at Theale Station. Work to improve the accessibility of the station began back in January.

Alok has been campaigning for better access at Theale station for nearly 10 years and making representations to government. He has campaigned for improvements alongside Theale Parish Council, West Berkshire Council, and campaign group Theale’s Future.

Theale was on one of three stations in West Berkshire and Reading Borough that received £18 million of government investment from the Department of Transport in 2018. Theale’s share of the funding is going towards a new fully accessible footbridge with lifts, a new ticket office, doubling of car parking spaces and improved access for buses and taxis.

These upgrades are now well underway, with most of the foundational work complete, in addition to the widening of platforms. Work on the structure of the footbridge has now begun too, with the steelwork structure currently being installed.

Commenting on the progress, Sir Alok Sharma said:

“I am delighted that work to improve accessibility at Theale Station is well underway. Having campaigned hard over many years to win Government funding for this project it is great to see it finally coming to fruition. I know that the upgrades will benefit greatly commuters, especially wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.” 

Network Rail capital delivery director Stuart Calvert said:

“Work has been progressing well at Theale station with the first major set of works taking place over the weekend. This includes 3 new lift towers and support columns being installed.

“Work will continue now over the coming weeks and months to provide passengers with a fully accessible station. We look forward to welcoming passengers being able to use the lifts between platforms from early 2024.”

Network Rail has kicked off construction of a new bridge and lifts at Theale Station which will provide passengers with a fully accessible station.

This project, which is funded through the Department of Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme, is expected to be completed in winter 2023/24 and will ensure there is step-free access to all of the station’s platforms.

The new footbridge is due to be installed in May 2023, so that the footbridge and lifts can open for public use once the work is complete.

Alongside this upgrade, Great Western Railway (GWR) is working with partners to further develop proposals for increasing car parking capacity, as well as improvements to the forecourt and station access.

During this period, space in the station car park is reduced to allow contractors to safely carry out their work. Parking will continue to be offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but if no space is available, passengers are encouraged to use other car parks near the station, as well as at other nearby stations.

Theale station will remain open to passengers throughout the work and rail services will not be affected. However, separate track renewal work in the Newbury area will affect services from Saturday 18 February until Thursday 2 March, and buses will replace trains.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check journeys at nationalrail.co.uk.

Dan Parkes, Network Rail programme manager - capital delivery building & civils, said: 

“We’re delighted to have begun work on the new ‘Access for All’ bridge at Theale Station working with our Supply Chain partner, AMCO Giffen.

“We’ve been busy over the past few months, finalising the detailed design and setting up our worksite. Over the coming months, we’ll be installing the bridge sub structure - consisting of more than 60 deep concrete piles and connecting concrete beams - before turning our attention to installing the steel super structure.

“We would like thank local residents and passengers for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Alok Sharma MP, said: 

“I am delighted that work is finally underway to install a new bridge and lifts at Theale Station. I have been campaigning for better access at Theale Station for nearly 10 years, along with Theale Parish Council, campaign group Theale’s Future and West Berkshire Council. This work will be invaluable for wheelchair users, as well as parents with pushchairs and buggies.”

Tom Butler, GWR station manager for Theale said:

“GWR is passionate about making its trains and stations accessible to all. It is fantastic that this work is now underway, and will help even more people make full use of all the railway has to offer, connecting communities to as they live, work and play.”

Photo: Alok at Theale Station

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, has welcomed the Government’s £18 million investment in West Berkshire and Reading Borough train stations.

Passengers at Theale, Tilehurst and Reading West stations are set to benefit from major upgrades after the funding has been approved and work is set to start.

Across the three stations, 1.5 million passengers are handled each year, and improvements will take place at all three stations. The work includes:

Theale

• New fully accessible footbridge with lifts
• Station building brought into use with new ticket office, toilets and potential café concession
• Doubling of car parking spaces with new decked car park
• Improved access for buses and taxis with turning circle and drop-off area

Reading West

• New station building with improved facilities
• Ticket gates to help dissuade anti-social behavior
• Improved accessibility

Tilehurst

• New lifts to be connected to the footbridge which was installed as part of the electrification programme

The total investment of over £18 million has been awarded by the Department for Transport and shared across the partner organisations, including Network Rail, Great Western Railway, Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, West Berkshire Council and Reading Borough Council.

The improvement works will be completed in phases, with teams on site from early next year at Theale and Reading West.

Alok Sharma said: “I recently met with representatives from the partner organisations at Theale station to discuss the planned improvements and to see the newly developed ticket office at the site. Having raised these issues on behalf of constituents over many years, I am delighted that passengers at Reading West, Theale and Tilehurst stations will benefit hugely from the improvements that are underway and I am delighted that funding has been made available by the Department for Transport to ensure this has been possible.”

Mike Gallop, Western Route Director at Network Rail, said: “Following our meeting with Alok Sharma MP and the minister last year I am really glad to see the funding being made available by the Department for Transport so we can deliver these improvements. An enhanced travel experience is at the heart of us welcoming passengers back to the railways.”

Alison Webster, Chief Executive at Thames Valley Berkshire local enterprise partnership, said: “The LEP has already invested nearly £30m of its Local Growth Funds directly into rail projects across the county – building on Berkshire’s already strong connectivity. We are delighted to be partners in the Theale station project and have provided £4m towards this important upgrade. As part of our planning for a green economic recovery from Covid-19,  LEP funding is also supporting other sustainable transport options which will further enhance local connectivity and encourage people to have confidence to get back onto public transport and away from individual car use.”

Cllr Richard Somner, Executive Member for Transport and Countryside, West Berkshire Council, said: “West Berkshire Council are delighted with the upgrades to these stations. In particular at Theale and Tilehurst as this will improve connectivity and access for our residents to the east of the district, adding to the user’s experience and enhancing our public transport options. These developments are encouraging, and we can build on the improvements already made, to further enhance our public transport capability.”

Alok Sharma, Member of Parliament for Reading West, today met with the new Network Rail Chief Executive, Andrew Haines, along with Mark Langman, Western Route Managing Director.

At the meeting, Andrew and Mark updated Alok on rail-related matters in the Reading West constituency. Andrew and Mark began the meeting by recognising issues with train performance this year, but provided assurance that all the infrastructure is now in place for the electrification of the railway from Reading to Newbury. This will mean that from January 2019, Great Western Railway (GWR) will be able to run new electric trains on this route. These trains will have more seats than the previous ones, and will cleaner and greener for the environment.

Andrew and Mark also provided an update on Theale Station, which was allocated funding after a campaign by Alok, Theale Parish Council, West Berkshire Council and local Theale residents, to persuade the Department for Transport to fund accessibility improvements at the station. Andrew and Mark explained that Network Rail will start work to tidy up the designs for the station ahead of going out to tender for the new footbridge and lifts to be delivered.

Alok recently formally supported a bid by GWR for Government money from the Access for All fund to improve access at Tilehurst Station.

Mark Langman also confirmed that Network Rail are considering the feasibility and potential timescales for installing shading for the lighting at Reading West Station so it does not disturb neighbouring homes. This comes after local residents contacted Alok to raise their concerns about the lighting, as both platforms are high above the neighbouring houses and gardens.

Alok said: “I am grateful to Andrew and Mark for taking the time to meet with me. It was useful to discuss train service punctuality, signalling works and accessibility issues at Tilehurst, Theale and Reading West stations.”

Mark Langman said: “Train performance has rightly been under a lot of scrutiny recently. Passengers want their train to arrive at their destination on time, and we recognise that the services have simply not been good enough. Together with GWR we are working to improve train performance and we have a plan setting out measurable actions over five key areas – fleet, traincrew, stations, external delays, infrastructure and planning – to recover and restore the stable railway passengers deserve.”

Photo (L-R): Mark Langham, Western Route Managing Director, Alok Sharma MP, Andrew Haines, Network Rail CEO

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, on Thursday 7th September invited Rail Minister Paul Maynard MP, to Theale Station to tour the station and discuss the progress of the upgrade works.

Other attendees of the meeting included Mark Langman, Network Rail Route Managing Director Western; Clare Kingswood, Head of Commercial Development for Great Western Railway; Nicola Scott, GWR Assistant Regional Development Manager East; Councillor Jeanette Clifford, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at West Berkshire Council; Jo Friend, Clerk to Theale Parish Council; Councillor Alan Macro and Andy Button from Theale’s Future.

The upgrade to Theale Station has already received funding from the Government’s Access for All scheme and will include improvements to the car park, new cycle parking, a refreshment area and new pedestrian entrance. The station will also benefit from an upgraded CCTV system. Alok played a pivotal role in lobbying for this funding, together with Theale’s Future (a sub-committee of Theale Parish Council).

Local representatives discussed the reasons for the delays to the upgrade works with the Rail Minister which included safety challenges in doing work in conjunction with electrification of the line. However, the Minister very clearly understood the need to deliver the upgrade and the visit was a valuable opportunity for him to hear the need for improvements directly from local representatives. The next step is for Network Rail to get started on any redesign work needed.

The local team was delighted to inform the Minister of the good news that, thanks to additional funding from West Berkshire Council which was secured through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, Theale Station will also benefit from a new ticket office which is planned to be open by the end of the year.

Alok Sharma MP said: “I was delighted to show the Minister around Theale Station and get him to meet all the key players engaged in the delivery of the upgrades at the station. The Minister clearly understood the need to deliver the upgrade to the station. The next step is for Network Rail to get started on any redesign work needed.”

Photo: Alok Sharma MP outside Theale Station with the Rail Minister, Paul Maynard MP and meeting with local representatives.

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, pressed for answers on when upgrade works will take place at Tilehurst and Theale stations during a meeting held last week, with First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood and Rail Minister Claire Perry MP.

Mark Hopwood was able to confirm that both station upgrades were still due to take place.

Work at Theale Station has been delayed while Network Rail re-negotiates contracts to ensure proper governance and to head off any implications regarding State Aid and Competition Law following their reclassification as a public sector body on 1 September 2014.

At Alok’s request, Rail Minister Claire Perry has agreed to intervene to speed up Network Rail’s processes for signing a new contract so that the work could start as soon as possible.

The upgrade to Theale Station has received funding from the Government’s Access for All scheme and will include improvements to the car park, a new ticket office, new cycle parking, a refreshment area and new pedestrian entrance. The station will also benefit from an upgraded CCTV system. Alok played a pivotal role in lobbying for this funding, together with Theale’s Future (a sub-committee of Theale Parish Council).

Tilehurst Station is also due to receive an upgrade to the passenger walkway bridge to include new lifts, but work has been delayed by Network Rail as it makes amendments to the bridge in preparation for electrification.

Alok Sharma said: “I am pleased to get confirmation that the upgrades to Tilehurst and Theale stations are still due to take place after an unexplained delay and I am grateful to the Minister for agreeing to intervene so these upgrades, which will be of huge benefit to many of my commuting constituents, can take place as soon as possible.”

Rail Minister Claire Perry said: “Once again, Alok Sharma has campaigned effectively on behalf of those he represents for improvements to local railways. I am happy to work with him to ensure that the planned upgrades for his local stations happen as soon as possible.”

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, has welcomed the announcement that the Department for Transport will be providing £1.73million additional funding to complete works making Theale Station wheelchair accessible.

Rail Ministers made the announcement yesterday that Theale would receive the extra funding, as part of the Government’s ‘Access for All’ scheme. Alok has been lobbying Ministers for the extra money after he was made aware that there was a shortfall in funding to build a new footbridge and associated lifts.

Some work has already begun on the station upgrade, which will include improvements to the car park, a new ticket office, new cycle parking, a refreshment area and new pedestrian entrance. The station will now also benefit from an upgraded CCTV system.

Alok Sharma said: “It is excellent news that the funding has now been secured to complete the works on a new lift and footbridge at Theale Station, which I have been pressing ministers for. Thanks to this extra money, Theale Station will in future be much more accessible for individuals in wheelchairs, as well as parents with pushchairs and buggies.”

Alok continued: “The Government is delivering the most ambitious programme for upgrading our railways since Queen Victoria was on the throne and this extra funding commitment adds to the growing list of projects being delivered in the Reading area, including the billion pound upgrade of Reading station, the introduction of Crossrail, Western Rail Access to Heathrow and smaller more local projects like Theale station.”

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, on 26th September 2012, attended a community consultation event at Theale Station, organised by First Great Western, West Berkshire Council and the Theale’s Future group.

Theale Rail Station is set to see some changes and the introduction of significantly improved facilities thanks to a £2.9 million project due to start in October 2013. The project will see the station benefit from a new ticket office and refreshment area, a new footbridge, new cycle parking and associated lifts to improve access and a new pedestrian entrance. The rail station will be promoted as a park and rail facility with the aim of reducing congestion on roads into Reading and other urban areas served by the railway.

The purpose of the consultation event was to provide an opportunity for passengers to understand the plans for the development of the station over the coming months. West Berkshire Council provided a consultation vehicle which was set up as a stall in the station car park, allowing passengers to browse information and ask questions about the upgrade.

A partnership project between First Great Western, Network Rail, the Department for Transport, West Berkshire and Reading Borough Councils, the project is design to deliver a value for money scheme and an improved rail station for passengers, with the facilities to support future growth.

Alok Sharma, the Theale’s Future Group and Theale Parish Council have been instrumental in highlighting the need for improvements at the station and have been helping to shape the project on behalf of the local community.

Alok Sharma said: “Alongside the Theale’s Future organisation, the Parish Council and others, I lobbied hard to win funding for the upgrade to Theale Station and I was pleased to attend the community consultation event to help raise awareness amongst passengers of the changes that will be taking place over the next few months. Talking to commuters, many of whom are my constituents, they are certainly pleased with the upcoming improvements.”

First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Over the course of our current franchise over £85 million has been invested across our network of 210 stations, by working with rail industry partners, the DfT and local authorities.
Mark Hopwood continued: “We are continually looking for ways to improve the customer experience. Whether that is through additional capacity or better facilities at our stations and this investment will ensure that we can continue to improve services.”

Photo: Alok Sharma with commuters at the Theale Station Community Consultation

Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West has welcomed an announcement by First Great Western that £2.9 million improvement works to Theale Station are set to begin in October.

On Monday 13 May 2013, Alok met with representatives from Theale Parish Council, Theale’s Future, West Berkshire Council, First Great Western and Network Rail to hear about the completed plans for the station, which will benefit from a new ticket office, a new footbridge and associated lifts to improve access, as well as the development of park and rail facility and a new pedestrian entrance.

Alok Sharma said: “Together with the Theale’s Future organisation, I lobbied hard to win funding for the upgrade to Theale Station and so I am very pleased to hear about the progress being made with the project.”

Alok continued: “In addition to the recent makeover received by Pangbourne Station and the billion pound investment in Reading Station, the improvements to Theale Station will be yet another example of how Reading is benefitting from the biggest rail modernisation programme since the Victorian era.”

First Great Western’s General Manager East Claire Mann said: “First Great Western pride’s ourselves on putting our customers first and supporting the communities we serve. We recognise the key role that rail travel has in supporting the local and national economy and we are delighted to be working with West Berkshire Council and Network Rail to develop this exciting multi million pound project.”

Claire continued: “In the last year over £85 million has been invested across our network of 210 stations, by working with rail industry partners, the DfT, and local authorities.”

Amanda Hoyland, Network Rail Route Enhancement Manager, said: “Improving access to stations is an important part of building a bigger and better railway. The new lifts and footbridge will achieve this and help to better meet the needs of passengers and businesses at Theale.”

A proportion of the funding has come through a joint bid by West Berks and Reading Borough Council for the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Hilary Cole, West Berkshire’s Executive Councillor for Transport Policy said: “The Council’s delighted to be contributing £1.127 million to this project. The Council worked hard to secure this money via the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport fund so that local people and businesses can benefit from these improvements without cost to the local tax payer.”

Alok Sharma, Reading West MP, and Roger York, Chairman of Theale’s Future which is a sub-committee of Theale Parish Council, have welcomed Rail Minister Norman Baker’s announcement on Tuesday 6th December that Theale railway station will benefit from investment of £1.25 million to provide a new footbridge and three lifts, which will make Theale station more easily accessible. Theale’s Future has been campaigning for improved access to Theale station and Alok has previously raised the matter with First Great Western, which operates the station.

The Government funding is being provided as part of the Department for Transport's (DfT) Access for All scheme which is a key part of the Government's strategy to improve the accessibility of Great Britain's railway stations. This funding is specifically targeted at providing infrastructure improvements at stations which will enable more disabled people to access the rail network.

First Great Western (FGW), which made the funding bid to the DfT’s Access for All scheme, will be working with Network Rail and the DfT to install the new footbridge and lifts. FGW is now working on the timescales for implementation of the project.

Alok said: “I welcome the Government’s £1.25 million investment which is excellent news for my constituents in Theale who travel by rail. For many people, whether they are elderly, disabled or parents with prams, getting from the station entrance and on to the train can be the hardest part of their trip, and the improvements at Theale station will help make journeys easier.”

Roger York, Chairman of Theale’s Future, said: “Theale's Future and the community of Theale are extremely pleased with this news. Access has long been a problem for mothers with buggies and impossible for wheelchair users. We owe special thanks to Andy Button of Theale's Future for his leadership in pursuing this and to Alok Sharma for promoting our cause.”

David Wood, Chairman of Theale Parish Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted with this fantastic news. It shows that we can make a difference. This will not only help the disabled but also young mums with pushchairs, passengers with luggage, and cyclists who need to take their bikes on a train. I have struggled many times on the existing stairs which are really quite dangerous.”