Reading, Berkshire

Reading is a town and unitary authority in Berkshire in England, at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, halfway between London and Oxford. The district has a population of over 144,000. Reading is probably the most important business centre in South East England and outside Greater London, often referred to as the capital of the Thames Valley with the headquarters of some major British companies and the UK offices of a number of major foreign multinationals. The name Reading is pronounced to rhyme with bedding (in IPA {{IPA|/ˈrɛdɪŋ/}}).

Transport

Reading's location in the Thames Valley to the west of London means that it has always had a significant position in the nation's transport infrastructure. As described above, the town grew up as river port at the confluence of the Thames and Kennet. Today both of these rivers remain navigable, although such navigation is exclusively leisure oriented. The locks of Caversham Lock, Blake's Lock, County Lock, Fobney Lock and Southcote Lock are also all within the borough.

Related Topics:
Thames - Kennet - Locks - Caversham Lock - Blake's Lock - County Lock - Fobney Lock - Southcote Lock

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Reading was also a major staging point on the old Bath Road (A4) from London to Bath and Bristol. This road still carries significant local traffic, but has now been largely replaced for long distance traffic by the M4 motorway which closely skirts the borough and serves it with three junctions (J10-J12). Within Reading the Thames is crossed by both Reading and Caversham road bridges, whilst several road bridges cross the Kennet.

Related Topics:
Old Bath Road (A4) - London - Bath - Bristol - M4 motorway - Reading - Caversham

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Reading is a major junction point on the national rail system, and as a consequence Reading station is a major transfer point as well as serving heavy originating and terminating traffic. The main route is the Great Western Main Line, which runs west from London's Paddington station before splitting in Reading with lines serving the West Country and Bristol, Bath and South Wales. Secondary lines connect Reading with London's Waterloo station, Guildford, Gatwick Airport, Birmingham, Basingstoke, Southampton and the South Coast. A railway-operated express bus service links Reading with Heathrow Airport.

Related Topics:
National rail - Reading station - Great Western Main Line - Paddington station - West Country - Bristol - Bath - South Wales - Waterloo station - Guildford - Gatwick Airport - Birmingham - Basingstoke - Southampton - South Coast - Heathrow Airport

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Local transport is largely road based, with significant peak hour congestion in the borough. A comprehensive and frequent local bus network within the borough, and a less frequent network in the surrounding area, are provided by Reading Buses.

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