Tilehurst station - facilities, incidents and improvements (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Today at 0955 there were 21 cars parked at Reading Station. And, to be really nerdish, just three copies remaining of Metro, which informed me that train travel had boosted W H Smith's profits, with sales for the six months up to August 31 being 65% of the same period in 2019 and that demand for rail travel is two-thirds of what it was at the same time in that year.

(Over that period Metro seems to have increase its superficial waffle content.)

You are Angus Loughran, and I claim my five pounds!

[Marlburian]

TikTok sensation Francis Bourgeois has been trainspotting at Tilehurst station. 

"... at the Reading station to wave in a 37688 ‘Great Rocks’ carriage. The diesel-electric locomotive raced through ..."

 

[Bmblbzzz]

Isn't this what other geeks call "spotting and photting"?

[CyclingSid]

From the title I wondered what the Conservative MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) was doing, but I think there is an "o" in his name!

[Hal]

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/23378639.tilehurst-station-revamp-includes-step-free-access-lifts/

The Reading Chronicle reports that work on this upgrade is due to begin in the spring, with completion by the autumn. It includes installing lifts, so that all platforms will be fully accessible for the first time.

[Marlburian]

Further story in the Reading Chronicle

The reporter, James Aldridge, has form when it comes to not knowing what's already been published.  Recently he noted that a planning  application had been submitted to  remove the cash machine from NatWest in Tilehurst, adding that the reason was not  known.  Yet his news website  has several times covered the imminent closure of the branch.

[Marlburian]

I made what is nowadays an occasional trip into Reading this morning. As on the last occasion, the ticket machine was out of order. At least the ticket office was open, otherwise there would have been a long queue of people at "excess fares" at Reading.

At 0930 (and midday) the car park was less than half full.But several cars were parked in the forecourt, their users enjoying the hospitality of the refreshments van.

No sign of the "upgrade", including the lift instalments that were meant to begin in the Spring. I gather that the process is going through the planning-application stage.

[Marlburian]

According to NextDoor "the Wolsey Coffee van at Tilehurst station was broken into, for the 3rd time".

[Marlburian]

Dates set to finally add lifts to Tilehurst train station

[grahame]

Now covered on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Lifts are set to be installed at a railway station after years of campaigning by local residents.

The lifts at Tilehurst Railway Station near Reading, Berkshire will allow better access to passengers with wheelchairs, pushchairs or heavy luggage.

Currently platforms 2, 3 and 4 are only accessible using steps.

The work, which will be carried out by Network Rail, is expected to start in February.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Well I hope Pangbourne, which is now busier than both Goring & Streatley (which has lifts) and Tilehurst, is next.  There’s only a subway at Pangbourne and no footbridge, but I guess that above-ground lifts (2 required) and a new bridge in between would be cheaper than lifts down to the subway. 

[Hal]

And Cholsey too, where the platforms are completely inaccessible to people who can't climb stairs.

[Oxonhutch]

And Cholsey too, where the platforms are completely inaccessible to people who can't climb stairs.

So true. And yet platform 4 could be easily made step free by using the carpark access road.

[nickswift99]

Well I hope Pangbourne, which is now busier than both Goring & Streatley (which has lifts) and Tilehurst, is next.  There’s only a subway at Pangbourne and no footbridge, but I guess that above-ground lifts (2 required) and a new bridge in between would be cheaper than lifts down to the subway. 

It would only need a lift for the down platform as there's step free access from the street to the up platform. Not sure who owns the roadway to the south of the down platform but I could easily imagine a lift there from the street direct to the platform.

[nickswift99]

Sad to report that the french van has been removed from the station forecourt.

Reports of vandalism/theft on this forum may have played a part.