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Anyone who travels round south-east England on the train is probably aware that Reading's undergoing major changes. Having been away over Easter, then driving to work last week, I was lightly surprised on Monday morning to pull into platform 13A.
Last time I was there, Reading didn't have a 13A. In fact, while the station was shut over Easter weekend, it changed so dramatically that I actually couldn't orientate myself and had to read the signs to work out the way to the exit.
It's huuuuge, the new station. The old, rickety footbridge and the leaky roof have gone, replaced by a strangely spacious area that looks like an airport. The station still isn't finished, and some bits are closed off and it's slightly hard to find your way around. It is well-signed, though, and much more accessible (all platforms have escalators, and there are more lifts).
I did note last night, though, that in heavy rain they still have to put buckets out to catch the water that pours through the new roof.
Last time I was there, Reading didn't have a 13A. In fact, while the station was shut over Easter weekend, it changed so dramatically that I actually couldn't orientate myself and had to read the signs to work out the way to the exit.
It's huuuuge, the new station. The old, rickety footbridge and the leaky roof have gone, replaced by a strangely spacious area that looks like an airport. The station still isn't finished, and some bits are closed off and it's slightly hard to find your way around. It is well-signed, though, and much more accessible (all platforms have escalators, and there are more lifts).
I did note last night, though, that in heavy rain they still have to put buckets out to catch the water that pours through the new roof.
And seven, seven for no tomorrow
Jan. 4th, 2012 03:57 pmPublic Service Announcement (for anyone who uses Reading railway station with low-to-moderate frequency[*]).
( They've re-numbered all the platforms )
[*] I reckon if you actually frequent the place you'll already know, and if you rarely visit it then you'll just read the screens and signs and be fine :)
Edit: They've also replaced Cow Lane Bridge, which is of less global import, but comes with an exciting time-lapse film. Fun if you want to watch armies of little orange people and cartoony diggers replacing a bridge.
( They've re-numbered all the platforms )
[*] I reckon if you actually frequent the place you'll already know, and if you rarely visit it then you'll just read the screens and signs and be fine :)
Edit: They've also replaced Cow Lane Bridge, which is of less global import, but comes with an exciting time-lapse film. Fun if you want to watch armies of little orange people and cartoony diggers replacing a bridge.
