Great Western Railway donated £71,500 to four projects throughout Berkshire including improvements to cycle routes and accessibility for disabled passengers

Great Western Railway's 'communities improvement fund' has pledged £71,500 in the second year of the scheme to help a range of transport schemes in the region.

West Berkshire Council was awarded £40,000 for a new foot and cycle link at Theale to link the train station with the national cycle route network 'Route 422'.

Mark Hopwood, managing director of GWR, said: “We are committed to improving the journeys of our passengers, as well as the economic prosperity and social footprint of the regions and communities we serve.

“We had many responses from those in our communities looking for help, and I am delighted to be able to announce the schemes that have been successful in this second year of funding; helping to put our people, our customers, at the forefront of what we do.”

Alongside matched funding, the total investment for Berkshire is thought to be in excess of £120,000.

Kintbury Parish Council received £6,000 for the refurbishment of public toilets, which have been threatened by closure.

The Mobility Issues Group for Goring gained £3,000 towards leaflets and publicising train accessibility in Goring & Streatley.

Slough Borough Council was handed £22,500 for cycling renovations, including improvements to signage and access to Burnham, Langley and Slough stations.