The UK’s Network Rail has extended platforms at Martins Heron station in Berkshire, which is part of its £800m Waterloo & South West Upgrade.
The upgrade will see new trains running between Waterloo and Reading, using the five former international platforms at London Waterloo.
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In addition, platforms one to four at Waterloo, Camberley and Chertsey will be extended to accommodate longer trains.
A fleet of 150 new carriages will be in place as part of the upgrade.
Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy said: “The number of passengers travelling into Waterloo has more than doubled in the last 20 years, from 108 million journeys in 1996 to 234 million journeys per year today, but despite this massive increase in passengers the infrastructure and capacity has largely remained the same.
“The Waterloo & South West Upgrade is a vital part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, and is essential to meet the demands of the growing number of passengers at stations like Martins Heron, who will benefit from longer trains and a bigger, better London Waterloo.”
The extension of Martins Heron station on the Waterloo to Reading line is aimed at accommodating ten-car trains.
The new trains are planned to be introduced next year.
South West Trains managing director Christian Roth said: “This investment will make a real difference to passengers travelling between Reading and London Waterloo by allowing longer trains to run throughout the day.
“The completion of the work at Martins Heron is an important milestone in delivering these major improvements.”
Image: Martins Heron station with new, longer platforms. Photo: © Network Rail.
