The second meeting of the CBS Expert Team on Integrated Data Management will open at 0900 on Monday 13 May 2002 at the Met Office Training College in Shinfield Park, Reading, UK.

The working language of the meeting will be English.

Participants should check with the nearest U.K. Embassy.

Location

The College is situated at Shinfield Park, 5 km south of Reading on the west side of the A327 Shinfield Road, just north of the bridge over the M4 motorway.

Arriving by road

From the M4 motorway, leave at Junction 11 where the A33 crosses the M4. Leave the junction roundabout by the B3270, signposted Earley/Shinfield (the next exit after the A33 to Reading exit). Pass the large hexagonal building on the left and then turn into the College after 200 metres. There is a small roundabout 100 metres after the entrance on the B3270.

From Bracknell the quickest route is via the A329 and M4 westbound (see above), but the shortest route is via the A329 and the A329(M). Leave the A329(M) at the Winnersh Triangle exit and follow the signs to Lower Earley then Shinfield, until the road runs alongside the M4. Turn right at the roundabout junction with the A327, then almost immediately left at the next roundabout towards the M4. After 100 metres turn right into the College entrance. The journey time is about 20 minutes.

Arriving by rail

The nearest railway station is Reading, situated just north of the town centre. From here take Reading Transport No 5 or No 8 bus. The stop you should ask for is called ‘Duckett’s Farm’. The buses leave the station approximately four times an hour between 0630 and 1815 then hourly until 2315, but they are less frequent at weekends. The journey time outside peak periods is about 15 minutes. On Sunday only the No 8 runs and leaves the station at approximately hourly intervals from 0915 to 2115. Buses No 6 and No 7 also pass close to the College and stop at The Maidens public house at Shinfield Rise, which is a 10-minute walk from the College.

Arriving by air

There is a regular coach service, half-hourly for most of the day between London/Heathrow Airport and Reading railway station. The journey time is approximately 1 hour depending on traffic conditions. Tickets to Reading can be purchased on the coach and cost approximately £15.

The coaches pick up passengers at Heathrow outside all Terminals. There is a direct rail service to Reading station from London/Gatwick Airport at approximately hourly intervals between 0530 and 2230 and tickets cost approximately £15.

A note of caution: do not take a black cab from the airport to the college as this would cost more than £100.

Arrival arrangements and parking

You should advise Gil Ross of your expected time of arrival in advance. When you arrive, register with Reception at the main entrance, where residents may pick up their keys. Dinner is normally served from 1800 to 1900, but if you expect to arrive after this time sandwiches can be ordered on your booking form. All vehicles entering the College must stop at the entrance to the College. The car park on the right is for staff and day visitors only. Follow the road to the left for the residents’ car park, which is adjacent to Alexandra House. Please note that the main road through the College is kept free of traffic, except for certain authorised trade vehicles.

Gil Ross
Met Office
London Road
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 2SZ
United Kingdom

Tel: (+44)(0) 1344 856 973
Fax: (+44)(0) 1344 856 119
E-mail: gil.ross@metoffice.com