'Army of workers' descend on rails
An army of workers will move in to work on Reading's rails - 6, 000 hotel rooms have been booked over the week to accommodate them.
Cold weather brings rail chaos
The cold weather meant more misery for rail travellers today with serious disruption on a number of key commuter routes.
Billions for rail network facelift
Network Rail is to spend £38bn nationally on improving the railways. The Thames Valley area alone is to receive £9bn in investment capital.
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£40m to improve trains a 'jobs boost for Hampshire'
South West Trains' announcement it's to spend £40 million upgrading its fleet of trains could be a major boost for jobs, says our Transport Correspondant Mike Pearse.
The 455's that run on routes to London will have new motors and electrics fitted to make them more reliable.
Mike said: "The carriages already break down less than any others in the country. They will also have a new system fitted that allows them to use less electricity."
The move will benefit commuters across Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth and Reading.
The work will be carried out at Eastleigh over the next three years and will be paid for by SWT and the Government.
£40million investment for trains
Rail passengers in our region are to benefit from £40million of investment.
South West Trains is to upgrade its fleet aiming to offer greater reliability on services from London Waterloo to Reading. Over the next 20 months, one hundred more carriages will be introduced.
Christian Roth, engineering director, said: “Our Class 455 trains are already by far the most reliable fleet in the country, however we are not complacent and we want to make sure these excellent results are sustained and improved even further.
“The new traction motors will help us to improve the reliability of these trains for our passengers at the same time as delivering environmental benefits through the reduced electricity supply.”
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Station closed for £900m upgrade
As thousands head off for the Easter weekend, commuters who travel through Reading are being warned of disruption as the station is closed due to £900m upgrade.
There are no direct services from Swindon, Oxford and Newbury to London. Trains from Bournemouth and Southampton to the north will also be affected. Here's our Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse.
'The biggest phase of Reading Station project'
First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood explains in detail the changes to services and why the work is needed. He spoke to our Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse.
'Army of workers' descend on rails
An army of workers will move in to work on Reading's rails - 6, 000 hotel rooms have been booked over the week to accommodate them.
Read the full storyStation affected into next week
Part of the station will remain closed for another week causing further disruption. Reading is the busiest station outside London and buses will replace some trains with others diverted.
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Major rail disruption for thousands
Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers will face major disruption with a complete closure of the lines through Reading from tonight until next Tuesday. It will allow for the completion of the first stage of the £900 million upgrade of the station.
Rail disruption in Berkshire over Easter
Railway lines through Reading are closing today until Tuesday. It's to allow completion of the first stage of the £900m upgrade of the station. Buses will replace some trains, with others diverted. The station is the busiest outside London.
TRAVEL - TRAINS: South West Trains delays
Disruption on South West Trains between Hampton Court and London Waterloo, between Exeter St Davids and London Waterloo and between Epsom and Dorking due to speed restrictions following a problem on the track between Raynes Park and Wimbledon.
Hampton Court services start/terminate at Surbiton. Exeter/Salisbury services are start/terminating at Basingstoke. Epsom to Dorking trains may be cancelled. Other services up to 20 minute delays. London Underground accepting tickets.
Ice on the tracks
The cold weather meant more misery for the region's rail travellers today. A build up of ice on the lines caused serious disruption on a number of key routes during this morning's rush hour.
Services were suspended between Havant and Guildford and Alton and Farnham, while there were major delays between Reading and London Waterloo and also at Southampton and Portsmouth. Divya Kohli has our report.
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