Long-waited improvements to the subway at Gloucester station are set to begin next week, Monday 13 March, as part of the wider multi-million pound station improvement project.
The work will include removing the blind corner in the subway and making it step free so that it is fully accessible to all. It will also include better lighting and CCTV.
The subway will be closed throughout the work and will not reopen until late summer.
During this period members of the public will need to use London Road, Bruton Way and Great Western Road as an alternative walking route. This will add about six minutes to the journey. Rail customers will continue to use the station throughout and station car parks are unaffected.
The project is the next phase in the development and improvement of the station and is jointly funded by GFirst LEP, GWR, Network Rail, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Council and the Department for Transport.
Chair of GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership, Ruth Dooley said:
“It’s taken a long time to get to this point, but we are really excited now to see the final stages of the Station Improvement Project get under way. This phase will create a direct, accessible and safe route from the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital through to the transport hub and on to Kings Quarter and the City Centre and is another important step in the on-going regeneration of Gloucester.”
Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, said:
“After campaigning for this for over a decade I’m very pleased that work on the underpass starts next week and am sure changes will be a huge improvement.
“I’m also pleased that technology means local residents can use a smartcard to walk through the station for free. Do sign up now!”
Rail customers will still be able to use the bridge through the station. This includes holders of our Pay As You Go smartcard. Details of how to apply for the smartcard are on our website https://www.gwr.com/your-tickets/smart-tickets/payg. The card ensures the best daily or weekly walk-on fare (calculated automatically) for rail users, and will also allow access through the station.
Ben Scott, GWR Station Manager for Gloucester, said:
“Working together we have been able to build on the previous investment and pave the way for further improvements. This would not have happened without the combined efforts of local government, national government, the rail industry and the local enterprise partnership.
“This is a perfect example of how working collaboratively can support the communities we serve to thrive.”
Robin Basu, Network Rail’s project sponsor, said:
“We’re proud to be working with Gloucestershire County Council, Great Western Railway and other key partners to facilitate improvements to Gloucester station.
“Step free access to the subway will mean that the station is accessible for travellers and give passengers more journey opportunities.
“Effective, accessible transport links are vital and we will continue to work with GWR and other partners to enhance and improve Gloucester station for all passengers.”
The subway improvement is one part of a wider £6 million project which has included new junctions and a new station entrance, and will include further work on the station forecourt to support greener, more sustainable ways of travelling to the station, including upgrading access for pedestrians and buses.
