Final phase of train station access improvements to begin

The fourth and final phase of access improvements into and around Plymouth train station will begin on Monday 16 September.

Developed by Plymouth City Council and its highways contractor Amey in partnership with First Great Western and Network Rail, the scheme aims to better connect the train station with the city centre and is funded by the Department for Transport and Sustrans, the national walking and cycling charity.

Works will focus on the station side of Saltash Road and include widening the pavement and providing a segregated off-road cycleway linking the station and the centre of North Cross. New street lighting will also be installed and the road resurfaced. This will require some localised lane closures at times during the works to enable road widening into the central reservation.

Other improvements include new footways between North Road East and the station, cycle parking, safer pedestrian crossing points (including two new zebra crossings) and better street lighting.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Improving this key gateway into Plymouth is one of our priorities and these improvements will benefit the local economy as well as rail passengers. We're pleased to be working with our partners First Great Western, Network Rail and Amey to ensure access to the train station is safe and convenient, as well as give visitors a warm welcome and good lasting impression of the city.”

First Great Western Station Manager Mark Chorley said: "The work the Council is doing to improve access fits with our own investment in the station, which has included a new station front, upgraded waiting rooms, new customer information systems and new and improved toilets. We will also be investing a further £500,000 on improving the subway between platforms this year.”

Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail Western Route Managing Director, said: “This project will make a significant improvement to access into Plymouth railway station. We are confident it will help to make the environment surrounding the station much more attractive and accessible.”

Vehicle access to the station will be maintained throughout the works and bus companies have been consulted on the traffic management arrangements. Work is expected to finish mid-December.

For more information about the Plymouth station accessibility improvements visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/stationaccessproject.