Gatwick station concourse to be ready in time for Olympics

Listen to this article

Network Rail announced that it plans to bring forward the concourse improvements, which are part of a £53m upgrade of the station and tracks at Gatwick Airport, to be complete in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Major construction work was planned to start in Autumn 2012, but with Gatwick Airport being a main gateway for visitors to the UK next summer, every effort is being made to deliver as many of the key improvements as possible.

The work being considered for early delivery includes:

  • Changing the concourse layout to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion
  • Improvements to the customer information screens and customer help point
  • Enhancing the retail facilities
  • Renewing the floor, ceiling, wall tiles and lighting to provide a better station environment

Mark Ruddy, Network Rail’s route director for Sussex, said:

“By bringing forward the concourse enhancements, Gatwick Airport station will become one of over 10 major railway upgrades which will be completed in time for the Olympics.”

Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick Airport, said:

“We are delighted that a newly refurbished station concourse will be ready for our passengers to enjoy ahead of the Olympics next year. This will not only complement the improvements we are already making to the airport through our £1 billion investment programme but it will also add to the great welcome we will be offering our passengers, providing a smooth and efficient experience through our airport and facilitating a positive onward journey.”

Designs for the concourse improvements are currently being finalised and work schedules are being re-organised to meet the proposed new timescales.

It is hoped work could start in early 2012.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Rail News

ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...

More like this...