PLANS to build a new £16m railway station at Green Park are set to take a major leap forward next week.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) is set to agree spending on the scheme at a meeting of its policy committee next week.

The new station will be on the Reading to Basingstoke line and will see trains passing through every 30 minutes.

It will consist of two platforms, a car park, bus stops, taxi rank and cycle parking.

The station will also benefit Reading FC and London Irish fans heading to the Madejski Stadium on matchdays.

Tony Page, RBC's lead member for transport, said: "The spend approval for Green Park Station is an important landmark for this Council-led scheme and we hope to be in a position to announce when work on the ground will start at some point over the Winter.

“Reading Green Park Station will be a key part of the town’s future transport infrastructure as more homes, businesses and leisure developments are planned for the area. It will also be welcomed by football and rugby fans heading to Madejski Stadium. Quick and easy rail access to south Reading will also help keep traffic off busy roads like the A33, which is an obvious benefit to everyone.

“Green Park Station is also yet another example of the Council identifying and successfully bidding for external funding to help deliver the continued investment in public transport infrastructure which Reading needs as it continues to thrive and grow.”

The scheme was approved by the Berkshire Local Transport body in November 2014 and £9.15m funding has been approved from the Local Enterprise Partnership.

The council will use a further £4.6m from developer contributions and £2.3m from Department for Transport (DfT) funding.

Council officers are now discussing a proposed timetable with railway chiefs.