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Thursday 16 Dec 2004

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR NEW BARNET STATION

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

| Eastern

Passengers at New Barnet station are in line for an early Christmas present as work to improve the station environment gets underway.  Network Rail is investing £650,000 into the refurbishment project, which is due to be completed by Spring next year.  There will be minimal disruption to passengers and the work has been scheduled to have no effect on train services.    Graham Botham, Network Rail Route Director, said: “I am delighted to see the start of this project, which will see New Barnet station restored to its former glory.  Stations are the gateway to travel by rail and the station environment is a vital part of the journey experience for passengers.” “The project has been developed in close consultation with train operator WAGN and the London Borough of Barnet, taking into account the views of the local community.  I’m confident we will deliver a station that passengers and the local community can be proud of.”  The scheme will see the refurbishment of station buildings and platform canopies, bringing them up to modern standards whilst retaining the existing style of the station.  The station lighting will also be completely renewed.  Upon completion of this work, WAGN plans to introduce further improvements for passengers, with the installation of a new customer information system, public address system and CCTV cameras.  Hugh Jennings, WAGN spokesperson, said: “We are obviously delighted that this work is now underway and hope that the customers will start to see the benefits in the New Year.  In addition, WAGN are pleased to announce that, upon completion of this work, a coffee shop will be opening and waiting facilities will once again be available.  This represents our ongoing commitment to improving facilities for passengers at our stations.”