More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Upgrades at a train station as part of a £2.5m regeneration project are taking shape with the completion of its new entrance this week.
The new entrance at Maidstone East - complete with a glazed front - is the latest part of the project to expand the station to accommodate thousands more passengers, which it is hoped will be attracted as part of a town centre regeneration being led by Kent County Council.
Due to be completed this spring, it will see a new spacious landscaped entrance, a new roof, an attractive glass front and new facilities for passengers and staff including a waiting room, cafe, ticket office and staff room.
As part of the project, The Vic pub in the town was demolished last year.
It is being funded by the rail industry through the National Stations Improvement Programme with the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund programme
Matthew Fraser, station manager at Southeastern, said: “We’re pleased with the progress on this project and are hopeful that, when passengers come back to us in large numbers, Maidstone East will be an even better gateway to Kent’s County Town.”
Network Rail's route director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “This milestone is another step closer to the completion of our Maidstone East station transformation and is an excellent example of the railway working in partnership with local authorities and third parties for the benefit of passengers, communities and businesses in Kent."
The project team started construction work in September 2019, and despite some setbacks to the programme due to Covid-19 restrictions, they say they will be ready to accept increased numbers of passengers once unrestricted travel returns.
It is being funded by the rail industry through the National Stations Improvement Programme with the South East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund programme.
As well as being a boost to rail passengers, the redevelopment is a key part of Kent County and Maidstone Borough Council’s plans to regenerate the area around the station and create a gateway to the town.
Southeastern manager for Maidstone East station, Caroline Wallis, said: "We’re really pleased with how the upgrade to our station is progressing.
"It looks great and it's a much more pleasant environment.
"As more passengers return over the coming months, I’m sure they will be impressed with how the gateway to their town is looking."
Maidstone East is the main station in the town and has regular services to London.
