08 April 2008
Better station just the ticket for Warrington Bank Quay
People using Warrington Bank Quay station will gain much better
and more attractive facilities when a £650,000 improvement project
is completed later this year.
Whatever form of transport people use to arrive to begin their
train journeys, they will find a much more welcoming station. There
will be a bigger, better, covered area for taxis, improved
pedestrian access, a new vehicle drop-off zone, a new bus stop
adjacent to the forecourt, dedicated cycle parking and better
arrangements for people with disabilities. A separate project will
improve car-parking and provide more spaces.
A more appealing and easier-to-use entrance with automatic doors
will lead to a bigger, brighter concourse with big new windows, a
higher ceiling and extra room for customers in the new building.
More space will be offered for queuing and waiting.
The development is funded by Virgin Trains, Network Rail, the
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Department for
Transport's Access for All scheme, and is in partnership with
Warrington Borough Council's linked project to enhance the station
forecourt.
Ron Dixon of Virgin Trains, the Station Manager, said:
"Warrington Bank Quay has become an increasingly busy station since
the introduction of Virgin Pendolino trains between London Euston
and Glasgow and Super Voyagers between Birmingham and Scotland. We
expect it to be even more popular as a result of the faster
journeys that will be offered next year.
"London trains will generally run non-stop south of Warrington,
with most from Euston covering the 182 miles in 103 minutes at an
average of more than 106 mph."
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: "For many
visitors the first place they see in a town when they arrive is the
train station and these improvements at a strategically important
station for the Northwest will create a very positive first
impression.
"An effective transport system is essential to building a
successful regional economy and these works will improve access to
Warrington, the region and beyond."
Andy Farrall, Strategic Director for Environment and
Regeneration at Warrington Borough Council, said: We welcome the
transformation of Bank Quay station which will make significant
improvements to one of the town's major gateways. The new
facilities are all customer-focussed and will be of great benefit
not only to residents but will also enhance the whole visitor
experience.
"Together with the new bus interchange and Golden Square
shopping centre and with the Winwick Street redevelopment works on
the horizon, the town centre is being transformed, boosting the
local economy and vibrancy of the town."
Customers will benefit from the much-improved ticket shop
which will be equipped with three self-service ticket machines
compared to one now. There will also be additional room for new
car-park ticket machines to be installed later.
The ticket office will be refurbished to create a new ticket
shop and hall with more space and new counters to make it more
user-friendly as part of this significant scheme. Meanwhile, a
temporary ticket office has been installed to allow building and
modernisation work to go ahead from now until August.
There will be a new, larger concourse and retail unit. The
layout will make it easier for people to move around with easier
access. The underpass linking platforms will be refurbished.
Better security will make the station even safer ? it already
has "secure station" status recognising the safety it offers
customers, like all the stations managed by Virgin Trains. Staff
accommodation will also be enlarged and renewed.
The appearance of this increasingly important station on the
West Coast Main Line has been little changed since the end of the
steam age more than 40 years ago and the arrival of electric trains
in 1973. The work now under way will prepare it to welcome the
additional customers expected when Virgin Trains introduces faster
services following Network Rail's West Coast route
modernisation.
ENDS
For further media information contact the Virgin Trains regional
Communications Manager Allan McLean on 07771 827 855 or the Press
Office on
0845 000 3333, or visit media website at www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com.
Notes to Editors
Virgin Trains became the first Virgin company to be officially
recognised as an Investor in People in Summer 2007. The West
Midlands Quality Centre confirmed the achievement following an
assessment against the Investors in People (IiP) standard. The
assessment recognises the major strides made in putting our people
at the very heart of the business.
Images of Virgin Trains and the company's operations are
available on our online media website www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com.
You will need to register to access the Media Resources section
containing high-resolution images of our operations.
Virgin Trains is the brand name of Virgin Rail Group. We have
operated the West Coast passenger train franchise since 1997; the
current franchise runs to March 2012.
Virgin Rail Group is owned 51 percent by Virgin Group and 49
percent by Stagecoach
Virgin Trains has been listed as the Best Train Operator in a
survey by the Institute of Customer Service; came joint top of the
long-distance train operators for passenger satisfaction in the
National Passenger Survey and has been voted Best Rail Company by
Travel Weekly magazine.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic
development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
•Supporting business growth and encouraging investment •Matching
skills provision to employer needs •Creating the conditions for
economic growth •Connecting the region through effective transport
and communication infrastructure •Promoting the region's
outstanding quality of life
For further information and to view previous press releases
visit www.nwda.co.uk
Warrington Borough Council is the unitary authority providing local
public services across the borough. For more information about the
council, visit the website: www.warrington.gov.uk.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Caroline Jones Head of Strategic Communications 01925 442233
Jo Driscoll Principal Communications Officer 01925 442081
Gina Coldrick Press Officer 01925 442140
ends