Plans revealed for new station at Ashtead

Southern and Network Rail have revealed plans for an eye-catching new station building at Ashtead which will provide modern facilities and better journeys for passengers.

The existing station building at Ashtead was built in the 1970s. Over the years, Southern has maintained the building, carrying out minor repairs, but, limitations to the building structure meant that plans to improve facilities at the station were thwarted. A new station building was proposed and in 2009, the Government announced that Ashtead would be one of the stations to receive a multi-million overhaul as part of the government’s National Stations Improvement Programme.

The new station focuses on improving facilities and the overall station environment. Improvements include:

• Construction of a new station building which has an improved layout making it easier for passengers to move through the station, particularly at the busiest times of the day
• Height Adjustable Ticket Window
• Accessible Unisex Toilet
• New Benches
• New Soft Seating
• Automatic ticket gates
• Retail Kiosk
• Info Pod in the waiting room
• ATM (Cash Machine)
• Expanded car park (another 60 spaces)
• A new two-tier cycle parking facility (Doubling current capacity to 120 spaces)

Southern Director, David Scorey said: “Our passengers will benefit greatly from the new station building. The design of this new station has come about following many meetings with Southern, Network Rail and the Ashtead Residents’ Association and the work has been planned in a way which will keep disruption to a minimum which is great news for our passengers.”

Mark Ruddy, Network Rail's route managing director for Sussex, said: “As well as providing a safe, punctual and reliable train service we continue to look at ways to provide a better journey experience for passengers. The upgrade of Ashtead station is a big step forward and will make a noticeable difference for the community and businesses in the town who use the railway for thousands of journeys every day.”

The existing station building will remain in use until the new building is complete and ready for use. The station will be built in the part of the car park that is currently a drop-off area meaning that the vacated area will be used for additional car parking space, easing congestion problems at and around the station.

The improvements to station facilities, which are being delivered by Southern, are planned to begin in spring 2012 and are due for completion in the winter.