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Monday 3 Sep 2018

Boost for Kent rail passengers as Maidstone East station redevelopment moves forward

Region & Route:

| Southern

Kent rail passengers can look forward to a bigger, better and more attractive Maidstone East station as a £2.5 million redevelopment begins.

On 17 September, Network Rail will start demolishing the derelict Victoria pub to make way for a spacious landscaped entrance, an attractive glass front and new facilities for passengers and staff, including a waiting room, café, ticket office and staff room.

The redevelopment is funded by the rail industry through the National Stations Improvement Programme and by Kent County Council's (KCC) Local Growth Fund. 

As well as being a boost to rail passengers, the redevelopment is a key part of KCC and Maidstone Borough Council’s plans to regenerate the area around the station and create a gateway to the town.

John Halsall, Network Rail's south east route managing director, said: “This regeneration will transform the station and surrounding area and comfortably accommodate growing passenger numbers in the years ahead. It’s also an excellent example of the railway working in partnership with local authorities and third parties for the benefit of passengers, communities and businesses in Kent."

Matthew Fraser, station manager at Southeastern, said: “We’re always trying to provide better journeys for our passengers and improve the experience of using our trains. When it’s completed, this new entrance to Maidstone East will be an excellent gateway to Kent’s county town.”

Eric Hotson, KCC’s cabinet member for corporate and democratic services, added: “We are delighted to hear about Network Rail’s decision to progress with the demolition of the derelict public house and the creation of much enhanced facilities for passengers, including a proper railway concourse.

“We appreciate this will be a difficult and delicate operation for Network Rail because the work will be taking place very close to the tunnel underneath.

“The new station will be an important addition to the work being carried out by KCC and Maidstone Borough Council to regenerate the wider area. This includes the former Royal Mail site - currently being used as a car park – and various office buildings, which will form part of a strategic gateway into the town totalling about 10.5 acres.”

Cllr Martin Cox, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council, said: “The regeneration of such an important amenity will continue to strengthen the collective drive for improvements to Maidstone as the county town of Kent.

“This significant investment will ultimately benefit a wealth of people from residents and visitors, to commuters and businesses, as well as contributing to the local economy. I am delighted that we are moving steadily closer to making this vision a reality.”

Christian Brodie, Chairman of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Our railway stations play an important role in the perception of our towns as they are often the first and last places people experience when visiting.

"Upgrading the station sends out a strong message to residents, businesses and investors that there is a confidence and commitment about the future of Maidstone and its connectivity to London.”

Maidstone East is the main station in the town and has regular services to London.  Additional direct services to London will start running from December 2019 when trains will run from Maidstone East to Cambridge.

During the demolition of the pub and the redevelopment of the station there will be an impact on the station and surrounding area, including:

• Station Road, leading to platforms 2 and 3, will close from 17 September 2018 until summer 2019.
• The taxi and mini-cab rank will be relocated to the Southeastern car park from 17 September 2018 until summer 2019.
• Pedestrian routes leading to the station will change from 17 September 2018 until summer 2019.
• The station car park will close for crane lifts on specified dates - TBC.
• Construction traffic and activity in and around the station will increase for the duration of the project and there will be some noise disturbance during the demolition of the Victoria pub.

Work on the station building is expected to begin later in the year, subject to the approval of final detailed designs by Maidstone Borough Council.