Network Rail and Southern have announced a series of improvements to access, facilities and the overall station environment at Three Bridges which will provide better journeys for thousands of passengers.
At the same time, two of the three bridges which carry the railway over the station subway are being removed and replaced with modern structures.
Delivering this work at the same time will help keep passenger disruption to a minimum and keep costs down.
The first phase of the station improvements, which was completed last year, was the installation of three new lifts to provide a step-free route between the station entrance and the platforms to make it easier for everyone to use the railway.
The next stage includes:
- Creating a new waiting area and passenger toilets on platforms 3 and 4
- Relocating the ticket gates and a refurbishing the space around them to make it easier for passengers to move around the station, particularly at the busiest times of the day
- Renewing the stairs leading to platform 5. They will be made wider and have a less severe gradient making them easier to use
- Installing new cladding and flooring within the subway
- Renewing the steps from the car park to the station
- Upgrading the drainage to reduce the chances of standing water during wet weather
- Resurfacing the platforms
- Carrying out preparatory works in advance of potential car park enhancements
Mark Ruddy, Network Rail’s route director for Sussex, said:
“The next phase of improvements to Three Bridges station will make a big difference for the people who use it for 2.4m journeys every year.
“Providing better access and facilities will help improve the journey experience for passengers along this busy route.
“All this work has been scheduled to take place at the same time to keep disruption to a minimum and deliver best value for money. We thank passengers in advance for their patience while we carry out these improvements to their station.”
Paul Trevett, Southern’s facilities manager, said:
“Last year, we surveyed passengers at Three Bridges station and asked them what improvements they wanted to see most. The top two requests were for improved waiting room and toilet facilities.
“We are delighted to announce that work on these essential facilities is about to start.
“There will be some changes to our service provision while the new bridges are installed and we will ensure that information regarding passengers’ options will be published in good time to allow them to plan their journeys.”
Plans have now been finalised and the work is due to start on 11 July 2011 and is planned to be completed in Summer 2012.
