Proposal Submitted For Lifts At Thatcham Train Station

Thatcham Town Council and West Berkshire Council are in discussions to enable works to move ahead with an upgrade Thatcham Train Station, which will include improved customer facilities and new passenger lifts.

Newbury Today reports that during a recent planning and highways meeting, the two councils met to discuss receiving support for progression with the upgrade, and councillors from Thatcham Council discussed proposals for upgrades they wished to see at the station.

Passenger access was the main consideration and a priority for the upgrades, and the councils discussed the benefits of fitting passenger lifts to the existing footbridge at the station, increasing step-free access throughout the station and access to all platforms.

Also discussed at the meeting was an extension to the parking facilities to the north of the station, as well as the possibility of moving the main car park from the south side of the track to the north. The north side of the station may also see new ticket machines and shelters on the platform.

There are currently no toilets at the station, which raised concerns from West Berkshire Council due to plumbing issues that could arise from the installation of that type of facility. However, Thatcham officials pushed for a bigger upgrade, meaning that toilets would be considered.

Local transport links to and from the station were also a topic for discussion, and if a proposed 2,500 home development in Thatcham go ahead, it will provide an opportunity for Reading buses to improve transport links.

In moving these proposals forward, Thatcham Town Council is looking to enter into further discussions with Great Western Railway and Network Rail as well as West Berkshire Council.

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