The £515 million station upgrade, which received Government approval and funding on 24 July, will remove a critical bottleneck on the national rail network for both passenger and freight traffic, currently caused by lack of rail capacity at the station. The redevelopment will provide more platform space in the station, for up to double the number of trains, and will also bring local benefits such as an alternative bridge and new relief road to unplug Reading’s biggest road bottleneck. Bruton Knowles’ specialist CPO team, led by Bruce Fowler, will play a pivotal role in the provision of property consultancy advice for the scheme. The experts have been instructed to provide advice on compulsory purchase, compensation and valuation matters arising as a result of the redevelopment.

A diverse range of land and property will need to be acquired for the scheme including parcels of land from the Reading Festival site, farm land, allotments, playing fields, residential areas and industrial sites. Bruce Fowler, head of compensation at Bruton Knowles comments: “We are delighted to bring our specialist CPO expertise to bear on such a strategically important rail development, the end result being of significant benefit to Reading, in respect of an imposing new development right in the heart of the town.”

The Reading Station project will be introduced in phases to minimise disruption. The construction programme for the road is due to commence in 2009 with completion anticipated in 2011. The rail work is planned to begin in 2011 and complete by 2015.