TRANSPORT QUARTER SIGNALS BRIGHT FUTURE FOR GRAVESEND

Friday 12 Jun 2009

TRANSPORT QUARTER SIGNALS BRIGHT FUTURE FOR GRAVESEND

Region & Route:: | Southern

Huge station improvements form part of a proposed multi-million pound scheme to bring together public transport and a new traffic system in Gravesend.

Fresh plans for the Gravesend Transport Quarter will be the subject of a public exhibition taking place in the town over the next month to share the plans and allow people to have their say before a planning application for the final scheme is submitted.

The overall scheme is being led by Gravesham Borough Council, which is working in partnership with Network Rail, Kent Highway Services, Arriva, Fastrack and the government’s Homes and Communities Agency on the various different elements, which include:

· an improved railway station

· increased car parking

· a bus interchange next to the railway station

· a new two-way road link

· development of new homes on the site of the existing Rathmore Road car park

· new public space uniting the Civic Centre forecourt with the sensory gardens.

Andrew Munden, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, said: “The proposed Transport Quarter will make a big difference people travelling to and from Gravesend. The proposed station improvements have been designed to complement the wider redevelopment and make public transport easier to use and more convenient for passengers.”

Council leader Cllr Mike Snelling said: “Gravesend is going places and this development will set the tone for regeneration for decades. Presently the town is divided from the station by an awkward one-way system. This scheme seeks to unite public transport with the rest of the town as well as offering the opportunity for more usable public space in the centre.

“It also links the Civic Centre directly to the pedestrian thoroughfare and offers the prospect of new car parks with additional space and new town centre homes. As the high speed rail link comes to Gravesend it is right to look forward to the important changes this will bring.”

Details of the full scheme are available at www.gravesham.gov.uk/transportquarter

Notes to editors

The enhancements planned for Gravesend railway station include: NATIONAL STATIONS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME: Gravesend is one of the 150 stations in England and Wales set to benefit from improvements from this £150m Department for Transport scheme. The proposed enhancements being considered include: • Enlarging the ticket hall areas within the station buildings on both platforms 1 and 2, with design considerations sympathetic to the heritage status of this Grade II listed structure. • Creating additional space for improved retail facilities and waiting areas. • Refurbishment of the toilet block on Platform 2, which will include amenities for mobility impaired persons and baby changing facilities. • CCTV coverage to cover all new areas, enhancing security at the station for passengers. • Provide new seating and improved lighting on platforms ACCESS FOR ALL: Gravesend has been identified by the Department for Transport as one of the 145 stations in the UK to benefit from the government’s £370m Access for All programme. As part of this scheme, a number of improvements are being considered to provide step-free access, including the provision of a new footbridge and lifts, making the station easier to use and more accessible for everyone, including those with reduced mobility. PLATFORM LENGTHENING: Network Rail plans to extend the platforms at Gravesend to enable 12-car trains to operate from the station. This will increase capacity and provide additional seats for passengers. In addition to lengthening the existing platforms, a new third platform is being considered making it possible for more trains to use the station in the future if necessary.

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