An £800,000 investment by Arriva Trains Wales at Shrewsbury station has transformed the experience for passengers using the railway station.
Two major projects have been completed and work done includes a new waiting room, dedicated customer information hub and remodelled customer toilets.
The projects were funded by a National Station Improvement Programme grant of £449,000 in 2013/2014 and then a grand of £360,000 which saw the new toilets completed in 2018.
When Arriva Trains Wales took over the Wales and Borders franchise, just over a million passengers used the station. Today sees more than 2 million passengers use the station a year.
Shrewsbury station was built in 1848 and this year celebrates its 170th birthday. The station is also a grade II listed building.
What did the officials say?
At an event to celebrate the completion of the whole project, Arriva Trains Wales Managing Director Tom Joyner said:
“The new restrooms are the third in a series of significant improvements here at Shrewsbury Station following the completion of our waiting room and information hub.
“In a world where grants are at a premium, it's terrific that we've been able to attract more than £800,000 of investment right here for the benefit of our customers.”
Sue Wood of the Shropshire Wheelchair Users Group said:
“Over the last few years we've seen a major transformation of facilities at Shrewsbury Railway Station and from a wheelchair user's point of view, it's a huge improvement.
“The lift and waiting room, in particular, have made the station a far more accessible and welcoming place and now the new toilets being completed will make it even easier for people wanting to use the railway.”
Bill Kelly, acting route managing director for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said:
“I am delighted to attend this event today to celebrate the fantastic work recently completed at Shrewsbury station by our partners Arriva Trains Wales, including the renovation of the toilet facilities.
“The renovation builds on the work completed by Network Rail, which includes installing a new canopy over platforms 3, 4 and 7. We look forward to working with our partners to make further improvements to the historic station, with plans to update the Dana footbridge and the remaining canopies this year.”
Shrewsbury Daniel Kawczynski MP added:
“I am so pleased that Shrewsbury Railway Station has been recognised as one for continued financial investment, the customer facilities are now so much better and I am encouraged that work is progressing on the improvement of the Dana footbridge.”
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