Published on: Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Abellio Greater Anglia has invested in new and additional platform and waiting room seating to improve the waiting environment at rail stations.
Over 160 new wooden style benches replace the older style metal benches at Chelmsford, Ipswich, Colchester, Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Witham, Frinton, Hockley, Rochford and Burnham on Crouch.
The new seating, supplied by Macemain and Amstad, will improve the appearance of platforms and waiting rooms and is compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act to ensure ease of use by those with mobility issues.
To date, the station seating has been upgraded at the following stations as follows:
- Chelmsford - 20 benches installed – 15 old style benches replaced and 5 additional ones installed
- Ipswich - 29 benches installed - 27 old style benches replaced and 2 additional ones installed
- Colchester - 26 benches installed - 21 old style benches replaced and 5 additional ones installed
A further 80 will be installed at key locations such as Cambridge and Shenfield and an additional 10 will be installed at Norwich (2), Great Yarmouth (1), Witham (1), Frinton (1), Hockley (2), Rochford (2) and Burnham on Crouch (1) as part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme.
Abellio Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, Neil Grabham, said, “The upgrade to waiting room and platform seating at stations will provide greater comfort for passengers and an improved station appearance, as well as provided increased seating as stations see growing passenger numbers.”