The multi-million-pound redevelopment of Newbury station is continuing through work that has on its business growth units.
The three units will be positioned on the south side of the station which aims to increase job opportunities in the area.
In order to deliver the scheme, Great Western Railway is working with West Berkshire Council and Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with the aim of supporting the town.
The whole station is being remodelled to improve customer experience, with ticket gates being placed inside and allowing for better customer flow.
There will be seven ticket gates on the north side and six on the south side and a new waiting area which is expected to be completed by this autumn.
Last year a multi-storey car park opened providing better routes between the station and the town centre. Alongside this two new cycle hubs opened providing a environmentally friendly option.
GWR Business Development Director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “It's exciting to see these business growth units starting to take shape. The station redevelopment meets a long-held ambition of ours to better support our customers and the wider area in a more accessible and sustainable way.
“Newbury station is a key gateway to the town and this work with our partners will help secure the economic prosperity of the region.”
West Berkshire Council's Executive Member for Economic Development, Cllr Ross Mackinnon, said:“Our commitment of being ‘Open for Business' has been a strategic priority for the council. We have continually supported local businesses while dealing with outside factors, such as Covid-19, with grants and other financial support. As we move forward, joint concepts such as these business units will help the West Berkshire economy recover and grow.
“In addition to the business units, improvements to the infrastructure will continue within Station Road to improve and upgrade the highway over the next year. This will include a new pedestrian forecourt area outside the station building, footway resurfacing, easier access to and from the station with two new pedestrian crossing points, and replacement of all-street lighting with Station Road.
“I'm confident that this investment from us and our partners will support the local economy to get back on track and help businesses to start, develop and thrive in West Berkshire.”
Berkshire LEP Chief Executive, Alison Webster, said: “We're delighted to have invested Government's Local Growth Funds into these new business growth units at Newbury Station. Our purpose is to support and invest in the local economy to achieve sustainable growth. With this investment we are delighted to work with our partners deliver their long-term strategic priorities and help businesses to start, develop and thrive in West Berkshire.”
Network Rail sponsor, Sandra Jerome, said: “The redevelopment work at Newbury station will be a great contribution to the local area. It will make for a much better travelling experience for the commuter. The business growth units will help support and grow the local economy.”
Sorry for being cynical, but they’ve spent all that money “developing” Newbury train station, and it still doesn’t have a taxi rank!
In winter it’s especially dangerous because on the South side people have to cross a road to get to the (constantly changing) side of the road where taxis wait. And on the other (main entrance/ticket office side) there isn’t a rank at all!!
Not only that, when they were fitting out the station, they forgot to put a sign in the station to direct people to the side where taxis are allowed to park.
Why?