Media centre

Thursday 25 Mar 2004

£300,000 FACELIFT FOR MANNINGTREE STATION

Region & Route:

| Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

| Southern

Next week, Network Rail will start work on Manningtree station’s £300,000 face-lift.  In partnership with Essex Community Rail Partnership, First Great Eastern and Anglia Railways, Network Rail will project manage the rejuvenation, which will transform the station to its former glory whilst bringing its facilities into the 21st century. Many areas around the station were identified for renewal, replacement and repainting, so interested stakeholders used the momentum of the Ipswich tunnel closure to establish a working group aimed at securing enough funds to transform the station.  All activities will be finished in time for the Ipswich tunnel closure when the number of passengers using the station will dramatically rise. Work includes: ·        The station forecourt will be developed to improve the bus stop ·        Installation of a brand new bus shelter ·        The cycle parking area will be extended ·        CCTV cameras will be installed around the station ·        Toilets will be regenerated ·        Security mirrors will be installed in the subway ·        Subway stairs re coated in yellow-gripping safety paint ·        Subway handrails refurbished ·        An old waiting room on the Ipswich-bound platform will be transformed into a new customer service office/small waiting room ·        An old boarded up ticket window will be refurbished and reopened Facelift – 2 Funding for the station’s face-lift was secured from the Strategic Rail Authority’s station upgrade project, Network Rail and Essex County Council’s Community Rail Partnership. Mark Livock, Network Rail Project Director said:  “Network Rail is delighted that these improvements will be undertaken at Manningtree station.  All parties have been involved in securing funding and special thanks goes to the Community Rail Partnership for their valuable contribution. “Over the coming months we will be managing the changes which will improve journeys for the hundreds of passengers who use the station every day.”