14.11.12
£3.3m Peterborough station improvements complete
Peterborough station has been officially opened today by transport minister Simon Burns, following the completion of a £3.3m improvement project.
Improvements include: redesigned station frontage, enhanced lighting, a bigger concourse with improved accessibility, new electronic information screens, additional seating, improved CCTV and an automatic ticket gateline.
Funding for the project was provided by East Coast, Network Rail, the National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP), and Peterborough City Council.
Burns said: “With a bigger and brighter concourse, automated ticket machines and enhanced CCTV coverage, the journeys of the four million passengers who use Peterborough station have just got better.”
East Coast managing director Karen Boswell said: “The station has an important role as a gateway to the city, as well as an important interchange between East Coast and other rail services across the East of England. It now offers excellent facilities for passengers.”
Peterborough City Council leader, Cllr Marco Cereste, said: “It’s vital that when people arrive in Peterborough they have a good first impression and the new look station certainly delivers on that.”
Work is continuing at the station under a Network Rail project to increase capacity, due to be completed December 2013.
Network Rail route managing director Phil Verster said: “Rail is vital for Peterborough given its position as a strategic transport hub. The investment we are making will significantly improve the railway and will provide the extra capacity needed to cater for the forecast growth in passenger numbers.
“When we’re finished the station will have extra platforms to increase capacity and reduce congestion, easier access thanks to new lifts and longer platforms ready for new, longer trains.”
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