Railtrack plc

Workers pick up tools at Southall station
_______________________________________________________________

date 8 September 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Construction workers started work last week on a £150,000 re-vamp of Southall station as part of Railtrack's station regeneration programme.

Among the improvements lined up for the station are the re-roofing of the station buildings, a replacement and decoration of the canopy roofs, the removal of vegetation from around the station and a new surface for the platforms. The work is due to be completed early 1998.

Andy Hancock, Director Railtrack Great Western, said of the works: "The work at this station and stations across the country as part of our regeneration programme is designed to bring this valuable asset to a standard that we and our train operator colleagues can be proud of.

"The travelling public who use these stations should be able to feel they are part of a caring, clean, environmentally-friendly organisation. The station should enhance the start and finish of their journey."

When Railtrack was formed, it inherited stations in various stages of repair and disrepair. The £1 billion regeneration programme, which will be carried out over a period of five years, plans to take in all of the UK's railway stations as part of Railtrack's commitment to create a railway fit for the 21st Century.

Station - 2 "The aim of the programme is to enhance the rail travel experience," said Mr Hancock. "The station environment is the litmus test of our stewardship of the railway for both the traveller and local community. We want the judgement to be positive and it is our intention to deliver," he added.

Southall is not the first station Middlesex to feel the benefits of the regeneration programme. Langley and Hayes and Harlington also have workers on site carrying out over £1 million worth of work.

To be able to deliver such a massive programme of station work in the Middlesex area Railtrack has embarked on a pioneering concept of delivery with its construction partner, Lovell Construction.

Miles Ashley, Lovell's Project Manager said of the work, "Lovell Construction is keen to demonstrate to the users of Southall station their commitment to delivering this work both safely and with a minimum of disruption. It is a source of pride to Lovell that our excellent record in the construction business is carried through to the people of Middlesex as we play our part in the railway renaissance."

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-09-08 RTK-002