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Friday 14 Jan 2011

PETERBOROUGH STATION TO UNDERGO £2.5M REDEVELOPMENT

Region & Route:

| Eastern

Peterborough station will become a vibrant gateway to the city in a major £2.5 million redevelopment scheme being funded by train operator East Coast and Network Rail.

The entire station will be transformed with a smart new frontage outside and a lighter and brighter interior, giving passengers and staff a much- improved travelling and working experience.

Under the plans, the size of the concourse will be increased with easier accessibility to the platforms. Travellers will also be given better access to information and assistance, with new information points being installed.

The plans also include more seating, a new waiting room and refurbished toilets as well as automatic ticket gating to improve security and revenue protection at the station which is a major commuter hub.

Work is due to start in the summer with completion expected by the end of the year. Nearly five million people a year use the station.

East Coast who is investing £875,000 in the scheme and rail infrastructure owner Network Rail is providing £1.7 million in funding which it has received via the Department for Transport’s National Stations Improvement Programme.

Train operator East Coast believes the project will help to revitalise the surrounding area as well as the station itself.

East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell said: “This is an important project for us and for Peterborough as the station will become a modern and vibrant gateway to the city for visitors arriving by train.

“The redevelopment is an excellent example of how the partnership between East Coast and Network Rail can bring about a positive change in the travel experience for passengers and staff.”

Network Rail route director Richard Lungmuss said: “The improvements being made at Peterborough will give passengers what they want – a safer, brighter, more spacious station providing an improved environment for everyone travelling by train.

“Britain relies on rail and the planned new facilities are a great example of how the rail industry is working together to bring Britain’s stations into the 21st century, encouraging even greater use of the railway network."