Network Rail has unveiled plans for a new £26 million railway station in Rochester.
The new station, which is planned for land at Corporation Street, is part of a wider £135 million investment programme in the county by Network Rail as the number of passengers using the railway continues to grow.
A formal planning application is due to be submitted to Medway Council by Network Rail this spring.
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, said: “The proposed new station will deliver a huge boost to Rochester and Medway. It will provide passengers with improved facilities and give better access to the town centre and surrounding area.
“The new station will be able to accommodate longer trains than the current station, helping boost capacity and providing more seats for passengers. An integrated transport hub will provide better links to other types of public transport.
Councillor Rodney Chambers, Medway Council leader and regeneration lead, said: “If this proposal gets the go ahead it will lead to a new, better train station for Rochester which will result in a quicker, more reliable service with more space for passengers.
“Rochester – like the rest of Medway – is benefitting from regeneration and more and more people are viewing it as a place to buy a family home and commute from.
“The number of rail passengers is forecast to grow significantly and freeing up this space for a new station will not only improve the service for commuters and other passengers, but also make sure it grows with future demand.”
The east Kent resignalling project will see £135 million invested in the railway by winter 2015, which is when the new Rochester station is due to open. It includes extending platforms at Strood station, an additional platform at Rainham station, renewing signalling equipment between Longfield and Sittingbourne and Beltring and Strood, upgrading seven level crossings, and reducing journey times between Rochester and Meopham.
The new station is due to be completed in winter 2015 when it will be operated as the current station is by Southeastern.
