Rail passengers using Norwich station are to benefit from improvements as Abellio Greater Anglia announces the start of a programme of works to redesign the concourse.
The works will see the relocation of the automatic ticket gates to create easier access to the toilet facilities, the installation of a new First Class lounge, a refurbished waiting room on platform 6, improved cycle parking and the introduction of Abellio Greater Anglia’s cycle hire scheme ‘Bike and Go’.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said” Norwich station is the gateway to both business and leisure visitors and it is essential that Norwich creates the right impression to its visitors. The Chamber has been looking for these improvements for a number so years and so we very much welcome the investment in this refurbishment and hope that it can be completed swiftly.”
The first phase, now underway, will see the relocation of the ticket barriers and removal of the central cash points and is expected to take four weeks to complete.
Work will also commence during this time to extend the existing cycle area to accommodate an additional 242 covered, free cycle parking spaces and the company’s ‘Bike and Go’ cycle hire scheme will be installed. Ten high quality cycles will be available for hire for just £3.80 per day.
During the summer months, Abellio Greater Anglia’s Customer Services Team will be relocated to a new, more centrally-located customer service office on the station concourse will which will also feature new retail units and cash machines, subject to planning approval.
Towards the end of the year the existing waiting room on platform 6 will be refurbished and a new First Class Lounge will be created alongside platform 1 (in the old Customer Services Office). The customer toilet facilities will be completely refurbished and will be accessible to everyone without the need to pass through the ticket barriers.
Abellio Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, James Reeve,said: “This is an exciting project for the station which will deliver a much-improved layout of the station concourse, refurbished waiting rooms and toilet facilities and improved cycle storage. Investing in upgrades to stations across the network is extremely important to Abellio Greater Anglia, demonstrating our commitment to providing excellent facilities and service to our customers.
“We will be doing all we can to progress the works as quickly as possible and to minimise any inconvenience to our customers while these improvements are carried out.
“We are grateful to our customers for their co-operation and patience in the meantime.”
