TRANSPORT Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has reminded Network Rail of its responsibility to work efficiently when carrying out rail improvements.

The government has committed £38 billion as an investment towards upgrading the nation’s railways between 2014 and 2019.

As part of the programme, redevelopment work will be taking place at Reading Train Station from today.

Train journeys are expected to take longer, with routes being diverted through Oxford.

A replacement bus service will be running for anyone wishing to travel to Reading in order to minimise inconvenience for commuters.

Mr McLoughlin said: “It is important that passengers are put at the centre of Network Rail’s plan.

“These improvements are there to make journeys better, but there is likely to be some disruption. Network Rail must show passengers they can be trusted to complete these vital engineering works on time.”

Network Rail will be attempting to keep commuters abreast of any problems and highlighting the work’s progress by live tweeting from Reading station throughout the weekend.

Anyone who wishes to follow the progress of the redevelopment work on the lines can visit the @networkrailgwrm Twitter account, where regular updates will be posted.

Motorists are also being warned to plan ahead when travelling on the region’s motorways this weekend in order to avoid possible delays.

Pete Williams, an RAC spokesman, said: “The first spring bank holiday of the year traditionally heralds the start of busier weekends on the nation’s roads.

“This Easter is set to be a hectic one with 16 million of us getting behind the wheel for an Easter break, but at least we will benefit from the longer days and lighter evenings to complete our journeys.”