Published on: Thursday, 8 October 2015
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Passengers using Prittlewell station are benefiting from a more welcoming and attractive station environment following a complete refurbishment project by Abellio Greater Anglia.
Sir David Amess MP and Cllr Andrew Moring, Mayor of Southend, will meet with representatives of Abellio Greater Anglia on Monday 12th October at 1030am to cut a ribbon to officially mark the completion of the work.
Abellio Greater Anglia has carried out repairs to the station canopy and platforms, a complete repaint, lighting improvements, constructed a new, improved waiting room and installed a new ticket vending machine (TVM) and CCTV.
The dividing wall between the existing booking hall and new waiting room has been removed to create a larger, brighter space. The new waiting room benefits from DDA compliant push button automatic doors, a train departure summary screen and energy-efficient heating, as well as new flooring and seating and redecoration in Abellio Greater Anglia colours. It also offers passengers the opportunity to charge laptops and mobile phones and work while they wait with a specially-made wall-mounted work top with plug sockets and three bar stools.
The waiting room and platforms have also benefited from new, more comfortable wooden style benches which replace the older style metal benches. The new seating, supplied by Macemain and Amstad, improves the appearance of the platforms and is compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act to ensure ease of use by those with mobility issues.
A new ticket vending machine has also been installed at the station and means that passengers will be able to purchase their train tickets before they travel and even collect tickets which they have bought online.
The station entrance has also been repainted along with the footbridge and all timber, steel work and lighting columns around the station. The existing lighting in the station has also been upgraded where required.
Ten new cycle stands have also been installed adjacent to the new ticket machine.
Neil Grabham, Head of Customer Service - East, said, “I am delighted that this project to deliver a much-improved, more comfortable waiting environment for our passengers and will restore the station to its former glory is now complete. Investing in upgrades to stations across the network is extremely important to Abellio Greater Anglia, demonstrating our commitment to providing excellent facilities and service to our customers.”
Sir David Amess, MP, commented, “I am absolutely delighted that the much-needed upgrade of Prittlewell Station has now been completed. The refurbishment that has taken place will benefit many constituents of Southend West, as well as visitors to the area who use the intercity link between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria. I am very grateful for the team at Abellio Greater Anglia who responded so positively to feedback from myself and my constituents.”
Cllr Andrew Moring, Mayor of Southend, commented: “I am very pleased to mark the official completion of this work. Our train network is so important to local people, businesses and to the economy of Southend-on-Sea, so I am delighted that these improvements have been made. The changes will modernise this popular station, and improve the whole experience of travelling to and from Prittlewell.”