Passengers heading in and out of Plymouth railway station are finding their route smoother and easier thanks to a gateline that’s doubled in size.
The number of ticket machines has doubled from four to eight, reducing the
bottleneck of people waiting to get on or off the platforms.
The new gates includes another wider gate for people with wheelchairs, prams or large amounts of luggage.
The entrance to and from the platforms has been given an overhaul and looks modern and sleek. The gateline improvements were funded through the Transforming Cities Fund Tranche 1, a Department of Transport programme to drive productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport in some of the UK's largest city regions.
Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “This project is all about creating a significantly better welcome for visitors to Plymouth and making it easier for people to exit the station is an important step forward in creating a positive first impression when arriving in our city."
Other improvements are being planned for the concourse. The façade will be upgraded, more modern shopping space created and more self-service ticket banks will be installed. On the other side of the gateline a new waiting area will be created.
Intercity Place – the tower above the station - is being stripped out ahead of its new life as a faculty for the University of Plymouth. It will be home to the University’s School of Allied Health Professions, and School of Nursing and Midwifery and as well as a new façade will have specialist teaching facilities including simulated wards, immersive care and home simulation teaching facilities.
A planning application has recently been submitted for multi-storey car park on the eastern side of the station and, thanks to the Transforming Cities Fund, will include a mobility hub with facilities such as electric vehicles charging, designed to give people the choice to get greener on the go.
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “As well as the regeneration of the area around the station, the improvements are about making public and sustainable transport more attractive and easier for people to use. The railway station in Plymouth is an important gateway to the city, a major transport hub, with trains, buses, taxis, all available on arrival, and we welcome the investment and improvements with our partners.”
GWR Regional Growth Manager West David Whiteway said: “We are pleased to be able to open these new facilities, improving access to the station, and customers’ experience, as part of the wider regeneration of Brunel Plaza and in collaboration with Plymouth City Council.”