ALOK Sharma has supported a bid which could see access improved at Tilehurst Station.

Commuters, campaigners and residents have been asking for facilities to be enhanced to support residents with mobility issues for many years.

The Reading West MP has welcomed the bid made by Great Western Railway to ask the Government for vital funds.

He has also written to the Department for Transport (DfT) to make the case for his constituents.

Mr Sharma previously consulted with residents in Theale, who felt the station could also do with an upgrade.

He was told Theale would receive money in the next round of funding after he invited the former Rail Minister to visit the site.

He said: “I am pleased that funding for the next stage of improvements at Theale station has been secured and I very much hope the bid for money for improvements at Tilehurst station will also be successful.

"My thanks to all my constituents who have helped to support this process.

“I have raised the issue of lift access to platforms at Tilehurst, and other local stations, with the Department of Transport at ministerial level as well as with Network Rail and First Great Western.

“I am therefore pleased that the DfT has announced a £300m fund to extend the Access for All programme.”

The frustration at the quality of the facilities at Tilehurst has been shared by members of the council.

Kentwood ward councillor Daya Pal Singh set up a petition to install a lift for disabled users at Tilehurst, which has been signed by nearly 1,000 people.

Responding to Mr Sharma's request, Nusrat Ghani MP, added: “This year, we received nominations for over 300 stations, including Tilehurst Station.

"As in previous tranches, nominated stations will be selected based on their annual footfall, weighted by their incidence of disability in the area.

"We will also take into account local factors such as proximity to a hospital or the availability of third part funding for the project.

"We will also ensure that there is a fair geographical spread of projects across the country. I plan to announce successful stations in April 2019.”