Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) have united to deliver a significant £7.5m investment into refurbishment works at Swansea railway station, improving the reliability and experience of passenger journeys.
Within the major works, the entire length of Platform 4 has been rebuilt and is now 260m long, meaning the platform can now accommodate 10-carriage intercity trains. This creates greater capacity and flexibility for passengers.
Renovations have also taken place within the station itself too, with improved ticket-buying facilities, new toilets and a refurbished space for use by local businesses and community groups.
First opened 171 years ago, the £7.5m investment represents the biggest refurbishment in more than a decade.
Among the customer improvements highlighted by Network Rail and TfW are:
- New Customer Information Screens
- New signage and rebranding
- New cycle shelter added at front of station
- Additional benches
- New lighting and waiting shelter on Platform 4
- Refurbishment of male and female toilets
- Replaced end of platform barriers
- New recycling bins and refuse storage area
- Provision for station colleagues to make public address announcements whilst mobile
- New LED lighting
- New luggage trollies and bays at Platform 2/3
Bill Kelly, Wales and Borders Route Director at Network Rail, said: “The completion of this brand-new platform is a part of our wider commitment to improve journeys and stations for our passengers across the Wales and Borders network.
“Working with Transport for Wales, our engineers and contractors have worked around the clock to deliver a transport hub which the city of Swansea can be proud of.
“We would like to thank the local community for their patience over the last few months while we delivered these improvements.”
GWR’s Head of Customer Experience Samyutha Bala added: “We are delighted that work to extend Platform 4 has been completed and can now accommodate our 10-car Intercity Express Trains. This gives us greater flexibility at Swansea which will reduce delays and maintain a reliable service for our customers.
“This is particularly important as lockdown eases and both leisure and business travel increase.
“We work very closely with Network Rail Wales and Western and Transport for Wales and they have done a great job here, that will really make a difference for our customers.”
