Reading Station   Reading, UK

Characterised by its sweeping roof element, ease of navigation and increased passenger capacity, the dramatic redevelopment of Reading Station has created a coherent transport terminal that resolves long-standing train delays and anticipates increasing passenger numbers.

 

The new station includes six new platform faces, two clearly articulated entrances and a new transfer deck that create swift, easy interchanges. These key upgrades are aided by intuitive wayfinding, improved passenger waiting areas, retail and amenities, as well as step-free access and better weather protection.

The existing interchange subway has been refurbished, extended and connected to the new public plazas either side of the station to form a new, direct unpaid link. The largest element of the project is the station transfer deck. Its generous 30-metre-wide deck spans 135 m across all of the tracks and connects to each platform via escalators and stairs.

The deck was assembled in three sections adjacent to the station, and positioned with hydraulic jacks. This innovative construction sequence allowed the station to remain in operation throughout its redevelopment.

A grand station entrance of the Grade II-listed entrance and a new civic space now greet passengers arriving from the town centre. Beyond, modular canopies of metallic-blue steel shape the station environment, creating a terminal that is light, lucid and acts as a catalyst for the town’s growth.

The transfer deck was developed with specialist fabricators to develop a modular canopy system which uses prefinished, factory-assembled cassette panels, with bespoke curved sections to form the sinuous ribbons that shape the station environment.

Where the canopies soar over the transfer deck, their blue underside is clearly visible so that it can be read as a continuous ribbon element as it passes along the platform and over the deck.

Pamela Buxton, RIBA Journal

Reading has been given a station on an international scale.

Michael Portillo, ‘Great British Railway Journeys’

Location
Reading, UK

Project Type
Rail and Mass Transit →

Client
Network Rail / Tata Steel

Area
15,000 sq m

Status
Complete

Year
2014

Photography
Jim Stephenson, Rick Roxburgh