Deputy Leader of Reading Borough Council, Councillor Tony Page has welcomed a £1.1bn investment in new rail electrification which will improve journeys for passengers to and from Reading.

The Prime Minister and Labour’s Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis have today unveiled £1.1bn plans for the first big electrification of the rail network since the late 1980s, involving the London to Swansea line.

Councillor Tony Page said:

“This is fantastic news for Reading, which will not only enable speedier and more comfortable and reliable travel to London but also will hopefully ease traffic on the M4 during those busy holiday periods. It further strengthens the case for extending Crossrail to Reading.

“It will create a 21st Century railway based on cleaner and greener power, besides creating  investment and jobs across the country.

“Labour is committed to investing in Britain’s future during the economic downturn in contrast to the Tories whose plans to cut £840 million this year from the transport budget could mean dozens of improvements to our railways, roads and public transport would be put at risk - including the new railway station for Reading and improvements to the M4 from Reading to London.”

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