Tuesday 27 Mar 2007

POTTERS BAR STATION TO BENEFIT FROM FACELIFT

Region & Route:
| North West & Central
| Southern
Potters Bar station is to benefit from a £2.5 million face lift. Network Rail will next month begin work to replace the two long canopies which stand over the platforms as well as a raft of improvements to the station buildings, including replacing windows, doors and the facia, and installing new platform lighting.

The canopies, which were originally designed and installed in the 1950s, have reached the end of their working life and will be replaced with a new steel frame structure which will support the steel sheeting roof. The old canopies will be recycled.

The canopy replacement is a technically challenging job due to the weight of the canopies (each weighs approx 140 tonnes). To remove them, each canopy will need to be cut in half and a 1000 tonne crane will be used to lift out the four sections.

Work will start on 8 and 9 April and will continue on eight successive weekends. To minimise disruption to passengers, Network Rail has arranged for the work to be carried out in conjunction with a range of maintenance and renewal tasks on the line, however it will be necessary to close the station whilst work is carried out and bus replacement services will be in operation.

Network Rail Route Director Dyan Crowther said: "As the national rail infrastructure operator, we are committed to investing in the rail network to improve facilities for passengers. The improvements at Potters Bar represent a significant investment, which will result in a more modern, pleasant environment for rail passengers and staff at the station."

Elaine Holt, Managing Director, First Capital Connect, said: "This essential work will take place at weekends to minimise disruption. However, in order to carry out the improvements it will be necessary to close the station at weekends in April and May. During this time we will be running bus replacement services, but I would advise all customers to allow extra time for their journeys.

"This is an exciting time for Potters Bar station with many more improvements planned over the coming months including refurbished toilets and waiting rooms, new platforms shelters, enhanced CCTV and additional help points."

Notes to editors

Potters Bar station will be closed for eight successive weekends from 8th April 2007. During these times, high speed east coast services will be diverted around the Hertford Loop. Buses will replace trains connecting Potters Bar with Welwyn Garden City and Hadley Wood.

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