23.05.12
Major refurbishment at Slough station complete
Slough station has seen a major upgrade to its forecourt, platform access and customer information, through a partnership with Network Rail, First Great Western and Slough Borough Council.
The improvements will make the station bigger, brighter and more accessible, ahead of the Olympic Games.
Work on the station forecourt was carried out by the council in five phases from January 2012 to May and includes a new taxi pick-up area, passenger drop-off, paved entrance and trees planted.
Network Rail installed three lifts and a new footbridge as part of the Access for All programme. The £4m project began at the end of August 2011 and was completed this month.
Improvements to the station building were carried out by First Great Western and included customer information points, and upgrade work to the ticket hall, waiting room, toilets and staff accommodation.
Transport minister Norman Baker said: “With the Olympics only two months away, I’m pleased these major access improvements at Sloughstation are being unveiled today. Nationally, we’ve invested £6.5bn upgrading transport links for the Games to improve services and boost economic development.
“This is also a great example of key organisations – including Slough Borough Council, First Great Western, Network Rail and my department – working together effectively locally to improve facilities and meet community needs.”
Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail’s route managing director, said: “The improvements at Sloughare an example of the real legacy and investment that London 2012 is bringing beyond the capital.”
Mark Hopwood, First Great Western managing director, said: “This is a great example of how we can work together with the local authority and industry partners to really deliver for customers.”
Cllr James Swindlehurst,Slough’s commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, said: “The improvements to the station forecourt are part of the council’s work to upgrade gateways to the town, and forms part of the public realm improvements of the Heart of Slough regeneration scheme.”
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