Passengers using Swanley will soon benefit from an improved station thanks to a £2.25m package.
The project will see a range of improvements delivered, including a bigger booking hall, with glass frontage, which will provide a new and impressive gateway to the town.
New information screens will also be installed, along with new lighting and more CCTV cameras to help make people feel safer.
To ease congestion, the approach road to the station will also be made one-way, with cycling and walking to the station being encouraged.
The project is set to be completed in May 2021.
The £2.25m funding has come from two grants, £1.5m has come from the Kent County Council (KCC) Local Growth Fund, and £750k has come from Sevenoaks District Council's (SDC) Community Infrastructure Levy.
A contract has been awarded to a local company, WPB, who will be working in partnership with Network Rail and Southeastern to complete the project.
Welcoming the funding, Southeastern Passenger Services Director, David Wornham, said: “This is great for passengers who use Swanley, they will see a real difference when the station is finished next year, and they will get a much-improved travel experience with us. This builds on Network Rail's £1.25bn investment in the South East Upgrade, and I want to thank the KCC, SDC and SELEP for their support.”
KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said: “We're delighted to be working on a new station for the people of Swanley and this project will have significant economic and environmental benefits. As well as improving access to the station, it will help reduce congestion, with work to encourage more pedestrians and bicycles, as well as enhancing the interchange with bus services. I look forward to seeing the completed station next year.”
Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, Cllr Peter Fleming, said: “This is exciting news for Swanley and those who use the station. We are pleased to be working with Southeastern and KCC to bring a new railway station to town. Not only will the improvements make journeys easier and more pleasant, a modern station will be a fantastic gateway to the town.”
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Swanley railway station should do with a upgrade including new lifts to make it step-free accessible.
Nice to see Southeastern and Network Rail to improve Swanley railway station and to make it a better railway station. Nice.