Contact:
Mike Adams
Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd
83 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0HW

01962 877414
m.adams@adamshendry.co.uk

Adams Hendry has worked on a number of projects to relieve bottlenecks and increase capacity between Didcot and Ruscombe initially as part of the proposed Great Western Main Line (GWML) Upgrade. Using our experience of Transport and Works Act Order applications we evaluated alternative design solutions prepared by Jacobs Rail Limited and Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners, architects.

As the studies progressed Network Rail decided to focus on the opportunities to be obtained by improvements to Reading station and the junction of the GWML with the Berks and Hants line to the west of Reading known as the “Reading Triangle”. We assessed the benefits and impacts of various schemes to increase the capacity of Reading station by adding new platforms and improvements to the capacity of the Reading Triangle by means of grade separation.

Earlier this year Network Rail consulted on proposals put forward in partnership with Reading Borough Council and the Department for Transport to increase the capacity of Reading Station by adding four new northern platforms and making various other improvements. In addition the raising of the mainline tracks over the Reading Triangle is proposed to avoid conflicting movements with Southampton to West Coast Main Line freight and passenger services. Network Rail proposes to make a Transport and Works Act Order application for the works by the end of 2009.