Next stage of work on track for Gloucester Railway Station
The next stage of improvements to Gloucester Railway Station is due to start imminently with Gloucestershire County Council work to a new Metz Way junction and an upgrade of the Bruton Way junction starting this month.
The project to revamp Gloucester Railway Station is being carried out by a partnership of Great Western Railway, Network Rail, Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council after an £6million investment by Gfirst LEP and the Government.
It’s part of the massive scheme of redevelopment taking place in the north of the city centre which follows the opening of the new bus station and the work that is currently taking place to turn Kings Square into a world class event space.
The regeneration plans will also be complemented by the £107 million development of The Forum, a mixed use development comprising new homes, in excess of 100,000 sqft of grade A office space and Gloucester’s first 4 star hotel.
The programme of work for the junction improvements is expected to last until early autumn and will allow for better bus and rail integration at the station, promoting sustainable travel and helping economic recovery and renewal. Work to the underpass, car park and station building will commence later this year.
Councillor Richard Cook, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “This is a key part of the huge multi-million pound transformation of our city and I know that in particular residents will welcome the improvements to the underpass. Improving the safety of people using the underpass to travel to and from the railway station is a vital part of this scheme and has been a priority of this council. ”
Councillor Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This is another fantastic infrastructure investment in our county which will make a huge difference to people arriving by train. The station is a gateway to Gloucester and the first thing that many people see, so it’s important it reflects the vast amount of investment and ambitious regeneration work taking place across the city.”
The junction improvement is part of a series of improvements at the station which has already seen the installation of lifts, a new 200 space car park, new entrance to the Northern side of the station, additional CCTV, extra cycle spaces and a new Ticket Vending Machine.
GWR Managing Director, Mark Hopwood CBE, said: “We are delighted to see work starting on this next phase. Working together we have been able to build on the previous investment and pave the way for further improvements. This would not have happened without the combined efforts of local government, national government, the rail industry and the local enterprise partnership. This is a perfect example of how working collaboratively can support the communities we serve to thrive.”
David Owen, CEO GFirst LEP, said: “The announcement of the next stage of improvements for Gloucester Railway Station is great news. GFirst LEP awarded £4.3m of Growth Deal Funding to this project, this investment will not only create a much better environment for passengers but will provide more attractive, safer and inclusive access. It will also improve the connectivity of the city. GFirst LEP looks forward to seeing this project act as a magnet for further investment and regeneration.”
Gloucester’s MP Richard Graham, said: “I’ve campaigned for all these improvements for most of the last decade and am delighted that they’re all definitely now going to happen and congratulate all involved. When all is done it will be a moment to celebrate.”