Whether we work inside or outside of the rail industry, we all yearn for a better rail network system and improved facilities.

Network Rail has been working hand in hand with the train operating companies to deliver better stations across England and Wales.

By the time Spring 2015 comes around, the rail industry will have seen major changes and significant development.

A war chest of £150m was set aside, at the outset, as part of the National Stations’ Improvement Programme. The overall plan was to improve over 150 medium-sized stations in areas such as passenger information and facilities.

As a provider to the rail industry, we at PRV Engineering are delighted to see the investment in stations, across England and Wales.

PRV managing director Simon Jones said; “We have been involved in the rail industry for many years and to see these improvements, is great.”

“Improvements in real-time information and better waiting areas will help us all.”

“For us, as a Wales based company, we are equally delighted to see the investment stretch to areas such as Aberystwyth in the west, Rhyl in the north, Pontypridd in the south Wales heartland, Ystrad Mynach, on the Valley Line and Port Talbot on the M4 corridor.”

The government has provided the £150m with additional monies raised from third parties, to help deliver more extensive improvements for passengers.

Work on the Welsh stations began in early 2014 and will be completed in Spring of next year.

Here’s an overview of the developments.

ABERYSTWYTH

• creating space for a retail unit in the station forecourt
• a larger waiting room
• new toilets for customers
• improved step-free access to the platform area
• a new canopy from the side entrance to street front
• improved availability of customer information
• improved CCTV.

The work is due to be completed by December 2014.

PONTYPRIDD

• re-commissioning the original station entrance and adding a new canopy
• improved lighting
• improved CCTV
• improved customer information
• a new accessible footbridge with lifts
• a new lift to take passengers from street level to the platform concourse.

Work will take place between December 2013 until early 2015.

PORT TALBOT PARKWAY

• a new enclosed footbridge
• lift access to the platforms
• a new ticket office
• new waiting areas
• new customer facilities
• new information points
• new CCTB equipment
• a 111 space car park with a park and ride for commuters
• improved facilities for cyclists, bus passengers and taxis.

Work will take place between December 2013 and spring 2015.

RHYL

• refurbished ticket office and toilets
• installation of a new information point and waiting shelter
• new platform furniture
• refurbished footbridge to provide better platform access
• improved lighting and CCTV
• new customer information screens
• new entrance canopy.

Work will take place between January 2014 and autumn 2014.

YSTRAD MYNACH

• a new ticket office
• new passenger waiting facilities on both platforms
• general improvements to the station environment

You can read more about the National Stations Improvement Programme on the Network Rail site here.

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