All aboard for multi-million station refit

Spalding Station is set for a £2.5 million refit.

East Midlands Trains has announced the measures for the Grade II listed three storey building at Spalding station in Lincolnshire which will include creating retail space at the building’s frontage.

It’s measures that have long been campaigned for by the Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum have been calling for.

A spokesman for East Midlands Trains said: “The building will become weather tight with the potential for retail units to be opened for customers in the future.

“The improvement works, which start this month, will take place over six weeks with no anticipated disruption to rail customers travelling to, and through Spalding station.

“Once the restoration work on the building is complete, Network Rail will begin work to improve accessibility at the station in a £2.5million investment. Network Rail will install lifts at the station providing step-free access to platform two and improving the customer experience.

“Work will also take place to install tactile paving, additional CCTV cameras and improve the lighting on the footbridge. This project is set to begin in September 2019 with completion expected in March 2020.”

Sophie Hammond, Area Manager for Lincolnshire for East Midlands Trains said: “The restoration of the building in the station will greatly improve the appearance and overall look and feel to our passengers who use the station regularly”.

Andy Savage, Executive Director for the Railway Heritage Trust said: “We are delighted to support this scheme, which reinstates the missing doors, windows and flooring, and we see this as the first stage in developing opportunities to use the empty space in the building once more.”

Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “This vital work will improve the look and feel of Spalding railway station and improve the station for all passengers who use it and we are delighted to be working closely with East Midlands Trains and the Railway Heritage Trust. The installation of lifts and tactile paving will improve accessibility at the station and make sure we continue to provide a service which meets needs of the communities and economies we serve.”

For more this week’s Spalding Voice.