Full steam ahead for railway station refurbishment
A £2 million-pound project to renovate Bognor Regis Railway Station is set to get underway in April.
The exciting scheme will see the station completely refurbished to make the most of the building’s elegant heritage features.
The barrier between the concourse and the trains will be replaced with one of the original 1900’s design and the ornate windows, intricate ceiling mouldings and original parquet floors will be retained and restored.
Fitting the theme, the windows which are currently blocked will be re-opened to allow more light onto the concourse, which will be revitalised using lighter-coloured materials.
As well as being pleasing on the eye, the work will also focus on improving facilities for passengers.
In line with the results of the passenger survey, a new indoor waiting room will be created and there will be two cafes, one which will open out onto Station Square.
Passengers will also benefit from an improved ticket office and seating, new ticket vending machines, refurbished toilets and other improvements such as a new cashpoint machine, enhanced CCTV and signage, better station lighting, visitor information leaflets and an online information terminal.
Southern Rail’s Project Manager, Paul Best said: “We are pleased that this work will be getting underway soon using funding from Network Rail, the Rail Heritage Partnership and the National Station Improvement Programme. Our priority is to improve the passenger experience, and this project will definitely deliver this.”
Councillor Mrs Gillian Brown, Leader of Arun District Council and Cabinet Member for Council Strategy, said: “Three years ago we started talking to Southern Rail about improving the public realm on the station forecourt at Station Square. From those discussions the refurbishment of the station has been brought forward.
“All this investment will improve the quality and attractiveness of this part of the town and complement the public realm improvements that have already taken place. This transformation will be a fantastic result for everyone.”