Travellers from Skegness are set to benefit from a £3.3 million investment in the town's railway station where it will be redeveloped to completely reconfigure its layout and improve passenger flow.
The redevelopment was announced last February and is being funded by the Government Town Deal Fund through the Connected Coast Town Deal, Network Rail, and East Midlands Railway (EMR).
Taziker Ltd is the principal contractor, with the works being managed by East Midlands Railway. Whilst the works are in progress, the station will continue to operate as normal.
Phase 1 of the work, which begins today, Monday, 6 November, will see an unused building at the front of the station refurbished after standing out of use for many years.
The building was originally a Red Star parcels office and will be redeveloped as new customer areas and retail units. Further phases of work will continue throughout next year. Further information about the scheme is available on a special web page at www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/town-deal.
Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for EMR said: “We're delighted the investment at Skegness Railway Station is about to begin. We're excited to work alongside Connected Coast Board, East Lindsey District Council and Network Rail to significantly improve the facilities for our customers.
“This first phase of the development will see work begin at the front of the station, where there will be a new customer waiting area and the Red Star building will be bought back to life after many years.
“These changes will transform Skegness station as the gateway to the town, by encouraging integration with the surrounding community and offering an improved customer experience to all station visitors.”
Chris Baron, Chair of Connected Coast said: “It is great to see work now getting underway at Skegness Railway Station, which will create a first impression that will offer a welcome befitting of one of Britain's leading seaside resorts with facilities that will benefit the local community as well.
“The investment and links with the bus station will support better connectivity with Skegness and the coastline and will help to promote the area as a destination.
“The phase one works that are now starting are the first step towards achieving our ambitions for the railway station which will ultimately see more footfall and use in the years to come.”
Rob Goulding, Station and Depot Surveyor for Network Rail added: “We know how important stations are for the communities they serve and as the first impression that visitors receive. It's fantastic to see work starting on Skegness station and we look forward to seeing the new facilities being used by passengers.”
