South West Trains completes new look for Fratton Station
South West Trains, working in partnership with the Department for Transport, has announced the completion of a £500,000 scheme to deliver a range of passenger improvements to Fratton station and its forecourt.
This significant investment in Fratton station, delivered under the Department for Transport’s National Stations Improvement Programme, will bring major benefits for passengers, including an enlarged booking hall, a waiting room and new disabled toilets. The station has also been repainted, giving it a fresh new look.
In addition, the station forecourt benefits from an improved interchange, with a reconfiguration of the road access allowing the creation of a drop off area. Through this scheme, high visibility walking routes have also been created to improve pedestrian access at the station as well as helping to reduce congestion.
The forecourt redesign also allows for a brand new car park to be created, with 50 additional new spaces now available for passengers.
Malcolm Page, South West Trains’ Station Redevelopment Manager said: “We’re very pleased to have worked in partnership with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to deliver this significant passenger improvement scheme at Fratton. The station now has a pleasant and comfortable feel with modern and user friendly new facilities, accessible ticket windows and platforms together with an easy to use drop off area and a new car park.”
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Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said: “I am delighted to see that £365,000 worth of funding from my Department will now allow passengers at Fratton station to benefit from a better service. Not only does the station look better, passengers will also find it easier to get to by car or on foot. And once inside they can look forward to better facilities and improved access to platforms.”
Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, said: “Good rail links are vital for connecting people and businesses. The accessibility enhancements and upgrade of facilities at Fratton will make a big difference to the overall travelling experience for the passengers who use it for over 1.5 million journeys every year.”
This latest upgrade of facilities at Fratton station follows last year’s installation of a new footbridge and two new lifts to provide step-free access between the station entrance and the platforms making it easier for everyone to use the railway.