#StationsDay celebrates landmark investment in East Anglia’s train stations

Published on: Monday, 15 October 2018
Last updated: Monday, 15 October 2018

Greater Anglia is today joining with other train operators to mark the first ever national #StationsDay, which celebrates the investment to regenerate Britain’s rail stations.

Greater Anglia is committed to investing £60 million in upgrading stations during its franchise, and has already completed four major station redevelopments at Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford and Ipswich.

The work has transformed the stations, providing smart, modern facilities to passengers, resulting in both Ipswich and Cambridge being named ‘Station of the Year’.

The train operator has also invested in smaller stations across its network through initiatives such as:

  • a £1 million repainting scheme for 70 stations;
  • ticket machines for the first time at 29 small rural stations. The machines connect to a real person who can provide help 24/7;
  • over 1300 extra seats on platforms;
  • free water fountains at Ipswich, Cambridge and Chelmsford that are helping to reduce plastic waste.
  • replacing station and platform lighting at 80 stations with LEDs, making stations brighter and more environmentally friendly;
  • new or upgraded waiting room facilities, which will provide customers with comfortable seating, wi-fi and charging points;
  • installing new waiting shelters at Harwich, Great Bentley, Battlesbridge and Althorne.
  • 1700 additional car park spaces at stations across the network;
  • over 1000 new cycle parking spaces in secure facilities;
  • an extensive asset renewal programme including new platforms, station re-wiring and new canopies;
  • accessibility improvements at Shenfield (waiting room) and Cambridge (Customer Services office), with further improvements planned at Billericay, Braintree, Colchester, Harlow Town, Kelvedon, Manningtree, Rochford and Sudbury by 2020;
  • new digital CCTV;
  • installing more than 1,000 new Customer Information screens;
  • installing automated Automatic Number Plate Recognition at Broxbourne, Cambridge, Colchester and Ipswich.
  • Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said, “Since the start of our franchise we’ve committed to spending £60 million to improve rail stations in East Anglia. This work ranges from installing new ticket machines, toilets, waiting rooms and retail units, to redeveloping entire stations.

    “We’re also pioneering a scheme to bring redundant station buildings back into use as community hubs, giving them a new lease of life and helping to meet the needs of local people.”

    Robert Nisbet, Regional Director of the Rail Delivery Group which represents the rail industry and has organised #StationsDay, said, “Stations are the beating hearts of local communities. Working together in partnership, the rail industry is delivering unprecedented investment to improve these stations as part of our long-term plan to change and improve.”

    Rail Minister, Jo Johnson, said, “This government is investing in the most significant upgrade of the UK rail network since Victorian times, spending over £48bn over the next five years to upgrade and build brand new stations across the network.

    “This is delivering huge benefits for passengers at major stations including Liverpool Lime Street, London Bridge and Derby, as well as investment in five new stations. In July we also announced that we will invest £300m up to 2024 to improve access at selected stations, ensuring our rail network is open to everyone.”