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Tuesday 15 Feb 2005

NEW FACILITIES UNVEILED AT GOODMAYES STATION

Region & Route:

| Southern

Date:                           Friday 18 February 2005 Time:                          9.30am Location:                    Goodmayes station Event:                         Official opening of the new station facilities at Goodmayes Photocall with Mike Gapes MP and representatives from          Network Rail and train operator ‘one’ Media contact:          Laura Dobson 020 7557 8103 Passengers at Goodmayes station are to benefit from a brand new waiting room and accessible toilet, unveiled today by Mike Gapes MP.  Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director said: “Stations are the gateway to travel by rail and form a vital part of the journey experience for passengers.  Comfortable stations with modern facilities are an important part of our continued programme to re-build the railway.” The new waiting room has been fitted with a customer information screen, giving real-time advice on train services.  Both the waiting room and accessible toilet are also protected by closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to complement the existing system at Goodmayes. Just under half a million pounds has been invested in the enhanced facilities, which have been funded by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and delivered by Network Rail.    Around 1.2 million passengers use Goodmayes station each year.  It is owned by Network Rail and leased to train operator ‘one’, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the station.  Perry Ramsey, ‘One’ Business Director, said: “We are delighted that the upgrade to Goodmayes is now complete.  The new facilities will be of great benefit to passengers using the station, creating a more secure, comfortable and welcoming environment and a more pleasant atmosphere for customers as they wait for trains." Mike Gapes, MP for Ilford South, today welcomed the new facilities as they were officially opened for passengers.  He said: "The new waiting room, toilet facilities and CCTV coverage will be very welcome to the large number of my constituents and other passengers who use Goodmayes station. This is a most welcome improvement to Goodmayes station and another example of the modernisation and new investment now going into our railways.  Network Rail and the Strategic Rail Authority are to be congratulated for recognising the need to maximise security and comfort for passengers on stations."   The station improvements at Goodmayes form part of a national scheme to enhance facilities for passengers at 68 stations across the country.  This includes Seven Kings and Forest Gate stations further down the same line, where work to enhance station facilities is ongoing.