Reading Station improvements

[whole diary]

[didcotdean]

Seconded, especially at Paddington in the evening rush. Diverting via Waterloo is most unpleasant and time consuming compared with heading to the nearest pub for a couple of hours.

The balance may change for some when Marylebone to Oxford is running. Although it wouldn't take many to overwhelm it. (And whether ticket acceptance would be available.)

Reminds me that Chiltern did some of their cheeky marketing in Oxford recently to attempt to get people to go to Oxford Parkway to avoid Bakerloo closure at Paddington.

[ChrisB]

Oh, Chiltern are very quick to offer ticket acceptance, to the detriment of their regulars!

[Adelante_CCT]

More waiting for cow lane bridge to finish:

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/work-widen-cow-lane-bridges-12520523

[stuving]

More waiting for cow lane bridge to finish:

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/work-widen-cow-lane-bridges-12520523

"When eventually complete, the widening and lowering of the bridges will create an important alternative route for HGVs, commercial and other traffic which are just passing through west Reading, resulting in a better and safer local environment for residents and businesses along the Oxford Road.

If they really do lower the bridges, can you imagine the reaction?

[onthecushions]

Why wait till the last minute to launch the compulsory purchase order, so that any delay due to objections throws the scheme out of sequence? Will this mean another budget busting contract?

The words "analysis" and "critical path" spring to mind.

Both NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and RBC^‡(resolve) share the blame.

OTC

[John R]

If I understand it, that all happened a couple of years ago. There shouldn't be any further delay attributable to the CPO.

[Noggin]

If I understand it, that all happened a couple of years ago. There shouldn't be any further delay attributable to the CPO.

That's my recollection too. IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) there were various issues with CPO's, at least one of which was that RBC^‡(resolve) assumed that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) had CPO'd land, and then waded in, alienating all concerned.

[Adelante_CCT]

Correct, the CPO thing is over now, nothing to stop them from proceeding. Network rail however aren't too bothered, they've got the railway side of things sorted and not too fussed with the road layout, I'm sure if it was delaying one of the flyovers for a couple of years they would be pulling their fingers out!

However, even when (if) it does get done, RBC^‡(resolve) have said they won't initially be doing anything with the mini roundabout at the end of Cow Lane/Portman Road/Beresford Road, for those of you who know the area will know that the little roundabout outside the Milk Dairy place is a very tight 90 degree turn if heading left towards the bridges and even at the moment, a large van can block both lanes, let alone the odd lorry which tries to go that way, (before then reaching the bridge and having to reverse back). Having numerous lorries headed through that way will simply make the roundabout a gridlocked area and whilst solving one problem (the bridges), you are creating another (the roundabout).

For those who don't know the area the roundabout is surrounded by small grass areas and a larger roundabout or slip lanes could quite easily be accommodated.

[bobm]

For those who don't know the area - here is the roundabout in question.



As for the bridge you can see why something needs to be done...

[Adelante_CCT]

Thanks for posting these bobm, trip down memory lane, well twice a day every day for the past 12 years, and again in about 20 minutes!

As you can see the car in pic 1 sticking out not too far from the oncoming lane, when lorries go that way it sticks right out, quite often fully blocking the oncoming lane. For clarification the bridge in pics 2 & 3 will remain as is, but is due to become a cycle/footpath with the new bridge to the left of picture 2.

Bobm, I work about 50 yards from pic 3, you should have popped in for a cuppa! en-route to the 3 pigs of course 

[Adelante_CCT]

RBC^‡(resolve) have said they won't initially be doing anything with the mini roundabout at the end of Cow Lane/Portman Road/Beresford Road

With RBC seemingly thinking work on the bridges will continue in the Autumn, they have re-iterated the Oxford road corridor study from a few years ago, which does suggest a minor alteration will occur at the roundabout, whether that would be enough only time will tell. (Personally I don't think so)

Oxford Road Study - Portman Road

[Adelante_CCT]

Cow lane to be closed over the weekend of 4/5 November and possibly the 11/12 November as well, this is in association with the demolition of the old brick arch tunnel at cow lane.

As part of our Railway Upgrade Plan we will be carrying out work to the highway on Cow Lane. This work involves widening the existing single lane carriageway beneath the Reading West Curve on the Great Western railway line.

Nice to see Network Rail not even knowing what the correct track is called 

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Indeed.  The bridge under “Reading West Curve” was replaced a while ago.  The single lane brick arch bridge in bobm’s pictures used to carry the main & relief lines from Reading to Tilehurst, but I think all lines (which aren't on the flyovers) are now on the new concrete deck bridge which you can see in the pictures adjacent to the original brick arch bridge

Not for the first time, NR^» (Network Rail - home page)’s PR^▸ (Public Relations) have got it wrong when explaining the works at Reading.

Incidentally, as a local I agree with Adelate’s comments in June re the nearby roundabout.  There will also be even more congestion at the Norcot roundabout (ie Oxford Road/Wigmore Lane) when Cow Lane becomes a more attractive route for drivers.

[Adelante_CCT]

Yes, slight improvements to be made at Norcot as well, but still be a busy area

Oxford Road Study - Norcot Roundabout

[Oxonhutch]

I see that the West Country HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) are using a new route (new at least to me!) to avoid Reading during the 16th/17th September blockade.  They will, in the up direction, be calling Swindon and then routeing Didcot West Curve, Oxford, Islip, High Wycombe, South Ruislip, Greenford, OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) and Paddington non-stop from Swindon.  I have done all parts of this route but not in one direct HST.