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Wednesday 20 Oct 2004

PASSENGERS WARM & DRY AT COLCHESTER TOWN STATION

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Date:                          Wednesday 27 October 2004 Time:                         10am Location:                  Colchester Town station Event:                        Official opening of the new waiting room at Colchester Town station Photocall with Councillor Richard Gower, Dan Athol, Network Rail Route Estate Manager and train operator ‘one’ Media contacts:      Karen Sinclair 020 7557 8291, Kerri Worrall 01206 363949 As this Autumn’s cold spell continues, passengers at Colchester Town station will be able to keep warm and dry in the comfort of a new waiting room.  Network Rail and the Strategic Rail Authority have invested £200,000 in the new facility - providing a comfortable and safe waiting area for passengers, and protecting them from the elements.  Jon Wiseman, Network Rail Route Director said: “Getting people from A to B on time is important to the rail industry, but so are station amenities.  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.” Kerri Worrall, spokesperson for train operator ‘one’ railway, which manages the station, said: “The improvements at Colchester Town have greatly enhanced the station environment, creating a warm, comfortable area for passengers to wait for trains.  It will be a great benefit to our customers using the station as winter approaches.” Councillor Richard Gower, Transport Portfolio Holder for Colchester Borough Council, said: “These improvements to Colchester Town station should be welcomed by rail passengers and local residents.  Colchester Town is a key transport link in Colchester Borough Council’s regeneration of the St Botolphs Quarter, and we look forward to seeing a continued growth in passengers using the station.” The new waiting room at Colchester Town station forms part of a national scheme, sponsored by the SRA and Network Rail, to improve facilities for passengers at 68 stations across the country. The enhancements will vary from station to station, but include waiting rooms, toilets, shelters, CCTV and improved customer information systems.