Reading Borough Council in the UK has granted approval for proposed plans to redevelop Reading train station at a cost of ВЈ400m ($503m), before reopening it in 2013.
Work on the station will commence in early 2011, with the completion of enabling works for the project scheduled for late December this year.
Construction work will be carried out by operator Network Rail, where the revamp work includes five additional platforms and two extra entrances at the north and south of the station.
Other improvements will include adding escalators, lifts a wider passenger footbridge at the southern entrance of the station, and a viaduct to the west of the station.
Network Rail said the railway at Reading was being rebuilt to provide more trains with fewer delays and improve access to the station.
The December works also include revamping the signalling control for the entire Reading area, and installing a new bridge over Caversham Road for access to the new track and platforms at the station, according to constructionenquirer.com.
The council will consider applications for the train depot and viaduct elements of the scheme in the coming months.
