Kidderminster’s old railway station will be knocked down and replaced under a multi-million pound scheme to bring it up to date for 21st century travel, it emerged today.
New designs are being drawn up for a replacement station building – with inspiration taken from the neighbouring Severn Valley Building..
It is hoped the building can blend in with the station building at the heritage railway which was built to a design based on a traditional late Victorian Great Western Railway station.
There are also plans to tackle congestion along Comberton Hill with a bus terminal link to the rail line.
The existing railway platforms will remain the same but access for disabled passengers will be improved.
The scheme depends on a funding package being approved between partners Network Rail and Worcestershire County Council.
If funding can be sorted out work is expected to start in 2010. Network Rail spokesman Keith Lumley said: “The designs have not been finalised but we will be making sure it is in keeping with the Severn Valley Building.”
A new footbridge has recently been built at the station which includes lifts to help disabled people reach platforms more easily.
Passengers have complained that the station was difficult to get around. One former councillor, Robert Wheway, dubbed it the worst in the country for access.
There has been a rapid increase in passengers using Kidderminster and councillors are urging rail bosses to make improvements a priority. There are currently no direct train services to Birmingham New Street and council members are campaigning for this to change.
3 Comments
trains go to b,ham moor street which is a 4 minute walk to new street stn,or u can change at smethwick galton bridge for new st,.direct trains to new st are not possible because the lines into new st street are too busy to take extra traffick
Worst in the country for access? You’ve obviously not been to Dudley Port. A nightmare to access if you have a pushchair, children or are infirm…
Interesting snippet about the footbridge and lifts - they appear to have been completed for some months now but as yet are still waiting to be opened to the public! As the construction work started last December, the project now looks to be approaching it’s first anniversary without completion…..