Network Rail has submitted a planning application for a major redevelopment of Gatwick Airport station that it says will transform passengers’ experience.
The proposals submitted to Crawley Borough Council aim to reduce crowding at the station, improve passenger flow and provide better connections between the railway station, airport terminals and onward travel destinations.
The airport has previously costed the changes at £120m. They include:
- Almost doubling the size of the rail station concourse
- Eight new escalators, five new lifts and four new stairways to improve accessibility and passenger flow
- Widening platforms 5 and 6 to reduce overcrowding
- Better connections to the south terminal with improved passenger information
- An ‘attractive’ new roof structure.
John Halsall, Network Rail manager director for the South East route, said: ‘The proposals will transform passenger experience, support airport growth and, along with other upgrades of the Brighton Main Line – the £300m reliability fund and our proposals for Croydon – improve journeys and provide a boost to the local, regional and national economy.'
Guy Stephenson, chief commercial officer, Gatwick Airport, said: ‘More than a million local commuters and business people also use the station each year and will benefit from this fantastic example of the public and private sector working together to deliver a world class transport hub.
‘The new station also complements the transformation of train services at Gatwick. Later this year trains will start leaving Gatwick for London with tube-like frequency – every three minutes – and new direct services will start to Cambridge and Peterborough for the first time ever.’
The station serves 19 million passengers a year – up from 7.5 million 20 years ago. Network Rail said the plans will accommodate forecast rail growth up to 2036.
The proposals were submitted by Network Rail, in partnership with Gatwick Airport Ltd, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and the Department for Transport.
Network Rail said it expects the council to determine the planning application this spring, with funding parties making a final decision on the project in the autumn. Construction would begin in 2019 and the project is due to be completed in 2022.
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