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Friday 7 May 2004

£40,000 INVESTED TO IMPROVE NEEDHAM MARKET STATION FORECOURT

Region & Route:

| Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

| Southern

The Needham Market station forecourt area has undergone a transformation thanks to £40,000 of investment by Network Rail.           The forecourt was looking rather tired after years of use and Network Rail’s excellent refurbishment of the station building a few years ago emphasized its tired condition.  The area had been patched up many times, but pot holes and puddles were still forming and some of the surface was beginning to come loose. However, Network Rail’s hard work has seen the area transformed with improved drainage, a new surface throughout the forecourt and station road approach, and newly painted parking bays. Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail General Manager said: “Needham Market’s forecourt had seen better days.  We identified the area for improvement some time ago, but funding was very limited.  However, recently an opportunity presented itself to us and we didn’t hesitate in allocating the money to the surfacing work.”             Work to improve the forecourt started in mid March and lasted two weeks.      Josephine Lea, Needham Market Town Clerk said: “The Town Council would like to thank Network Rail for the resurfacing and marking of the forecourt at Needham Market Station.  The forecourt is now a safe and attractive place to walk and park.” - more - Needham Market  – 2 Kerri Howard, communications manager for 'one' who operates the trains through Needham Market, said, "The new forecourt is vastly improved and now provides a fitting entrance to this very attractive station. The work carried out by Network Rail means that 'one' customers will benefit from a more pleasant, welcoming station environment, and we hope that more people in the area will be encouraged to use the station and the trains as a result." Network Rail is very pleased to have been able to enhance the forecourt at Needham Market station and in turn improve the area for the public, who live, work and travel through this very pretty and historic market town.