To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the budget is for the upgrade of Reading station, as proposed in Delivering a Sustainable Railway, broken down by subheading; and when she expects work to (a) start and (b) finish on the upgrade. (170744)

The amount currently allocated for improvements at Reading station is some £425 million. The majority of this is for construction-related work but upwards of £70 million may be required for design and the necessary planning approvals. Work has already started on the design aspects and final completion of the project is planned for spring 2015.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will place in the Library a copy of the contracts which have been let for work on the upgrade of Reading station, as set out in Delivering a Sustainable Railway. (170746)

The work to enlarge Reading station is led by Network Rail, and contracts are a matter for them.

However, the company is required to improve capacity and performance, within agreed timescales and resources.

Network Rail can be contacted at:

Network Rail

40 Melton street

London

NW1 2EE