Reading railway station overhaul plans approved

Reading's railway station is being remodelled by 2013 as part of a £400m revamp

Plans for workers to start the £400m transformation of Reading's railway station have been approved.

The station is being remodelled by 2013 to include five more platforms and two additional entrances.

A new viaduct will also be built to the west of the station to boost capacity and cut delays.

The revamp is due to get under way in early 2011, following the completion of preparatory works over the Christmas period.

"The Christmas works will see signalling control for the entire Reading area transferred to a brand new signalling centre at Didcot, meaning the current signal box at Reading can be demolished to make way for new platforms," Network Rail said.

The works will mean no trains through the station between 27 and 30 December, plus a reduced service over New Year.

Caversham Road will also be closed from New Year's Eve until 2 January.

Work to reorganise traffic flows and road layouts around Reading town centre ahead of the project began in June.

Reading Borough Council gave its planning consent for the scheme this week.