The people of Swanley are set to benefit from a much improved railway station thanks to a £2.25m funding package.
The work will deliver a range of improvements, including a bigger booking hall with an attractive glass frontage, which will provide an impressive new gateway to the town.
New information screens will be installed, along with better lighting and more CCTV to make passengers feel safe and secure.
To ease congestion and improve air quality the approach road to the station will become one-way. Cycling and walking to the station will be encouraged.
The project team is starting to set up now and the upgrade is scheduled to be completed in May 2021.
The £2.25m funding has come from two grants. The first is £1.5m from the Kent County Council (KCC) Local Growth Fund, via the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP). The second is £750k from Sevenoaks District Council’s (SDC) Community Infrastructure Levy.
The contract has been awarded to a local Kent based company, WPB, who will be working in partnership with Southeastern and Network Rail to deliver the project.
Welcoming the funding, Southeastern Passenger Services Director, David Wornham, said:
“This is great for passengers who use Swanley, they will see a real difference when the station is finished next year and they will get a much improved travel experience with us. This builds on Network Rail’s £1.25bn investment in the South East Upgrade and I want to thank the KCC, SDC and SELEP for their support.”
KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne, said:
“We’re delighted to be working on a new station for the people of Swanley and this project will have significant economic and environmental benefits. As well as improving access to the station, it will help reduce congestion, with work to encourage more pedestrians and bicycles, as well as enhancing the interchange with bus services. I look forward to seeing the completed station next year.”
Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, Cllr Peter Fleming, said:
“This is exciting news for Swanley and those who use the station. We are pleased to be working with Southeastern and KCC to bring a new railway station to town. Not only will the improvements make journeys easier and more pleasant, a modern station will be a fantastic gateway to the town."
-Ends-
