Railands and Chester Station Gateway

The project

£11 million of investment has been made into the Chester station gateway project over several years - regenerating the station and its surroundings. The overall aim being to create a key gateway into the city and enhance other historically important buildings along Brook Street and City Road. The majority of works inside the station itself are largely complete, but ongoing improvements are being developed for Brook Street and improvements to the linkages between the station and city centre are being considered as part of the One City Plan.

What the project is achieving

• Improved environment in this area of the city
• Retail and commercial space
• Better facilities for passengers
• Improved travelling experience for public transport users
• Improved traffic flow
• Conservation and enhancement of Grade II* listed station building
• Increased investment and development opportunities in the area (see Chester Central Business Quarter)
• Vacant and derelict areas brought back into use.
  
  

What’s happening and when

Completed schemes are:

• Station roof repairs with glazing and improvements to the train shed were carried out by Network Rail.
• Repairs to the frontage building façade on the West and East Wings. Conversion of first floor vacant space in the East Wing to modern office accommodation within a restored Grade II* listed building. An architectural lighting scheme has also been installed illuminating the architectural detail and improving the safety of the area after dark.
• Improved customer facilities and a new station concourse were completed by Arriva Trains Wales in October 2008 including refurbished toilets, a café and a CCTV system. New entrance gates have since been installed.
• The Station Square was completed in December 2007 for eased management of traffic in the area and an improved setting of the station and surrounding buildings with the use of high quality materials.
• The Island Platform Scheme has introduced a new pavilion with waiting area facilities and a second staircase from the footbridge to platforms 4 and 7. This scheme was funded largely by the North West Regional Development Agency and National Stations Improvement Programme.
• Network Rail completed Platform 7 repairs that extended the length of the West pavilion building and involved structural works and replacement of broken pavement.
• Repairs, restoration and internal changes were completed by Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales to the West and East pavilion buildings on the Island Platform. The West Pavilion now has a reconfigured train crew facility and additional pod. The East Pavilion has improved passenger toilets and offices for the Train Operating Company (relocated from the main frontage building).
• Target buildings and their external frontage structures in Brook Street, along with street furniture and footpaths have received funding through the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) to improve and enhance the shop fronts, imporve the pedestrian environment and encourage the use of the Street as a route between the Station and City Centre.

Ongoing and future schemes include:

• Restoration and refurbishment of the historic footbridge linking the station concourse to platforms 4 to 7, led by Network Rail and with investment from the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). This scheme is currently in design stages and is expected to be delivered by mid 2012.
• Completion of a dedicated space for visitor information in an underused room  in the main frontage building, accessed from the main consourse (opposite the café).
• Re-using the frontage building ground floor space in the East Wing for active commercial use.
• Network Rail will submit formal plans for a multi storey car park facility on the current west car park.