Station forecourt
Local people invited to view proposals
Local people are to be given the chance to view and comment on plans for public realm improvements to Swindon’s railway station forecourt. Public exhibitions will be held in the railway station concourse on Friday 9th July from 9am until 5pm, and on Saturday 10th July from 9am until 3.30pm. For those who cannot make the exhibitions, the information will be available to view in the station from Wednesday 7th July.
The station forecourt development programme, which is due to begin in August this year and be completed in summer 2011, will greatly improve what is both a gateway to Swindon and a key space within the town centre.
Currently, the existing railway station entrance is dominated by vehicles, meaning it is difficult for pedestrians to negotiate and can be a confusing environment for those travelling in and out of the station.
The proposed scheme will give pedestrians priority through a new generous and uncluttered space outside the station entrance. A more defined pedestrian route will run from the exit doors to the Station Road crossing and along Wellington Street down to the town centre.
Vehicle areas will be kept separate, with a clearly defined taxi rank and a new dedicated bus lane complete with a bus shelter and real time transport information. An extensive new layby to the east of the forecourt on Station Road will also provide areas for passenger drop-offs and service deliveries.
Cllr Garry Perkins, designated Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Swindon Borough Council, commented: “We are excited about the upcoming developments to the station forecourt area. This is a well used area that is busy around the clock, and the public realm improvements have been designed to ensure we can greatly improve the forecourt and make the station more easily accessible.
“Our aim is to deliver a prestigious, legible and functional space, with a strong character and identity that will really welcome people to Swindon.
“The purpose of the upcoming events is to give local people and those that use the station an opportunity to look at detailed plans and view initial designs, and to provide us with their feedback – we want to ensure everything we deliver is in line with the needs and expectations of those that will actually use this public space.”
Funding for this project comes from Swindon Borough Council (section 106: Local Transport Plan), Government Growth Point Funding and from National Station Improvement Scheme Funding (NSIP) via First Great Western and Network Rail.
21/04/2011