Southampton celebrates progress on Central Station Interchange improvements with partners’ tour

The Southampton Central Station Interchange improvements are now halfway through and are on track to be completed in November

The project, which commenced earlier this year, is being progressed in close partnership with South Western Railway, who are contributing £1.3 million along with government funding, Network Rail, and Southampton City Council with their highway's partners, Balfour Beatty Living Places, and contractor, R&W.

To celebrate the joint partnership, key members from both South Western Railway, the council and their highways partners attended a tour of the area to see first-hand the progress being made. Leader of the council Councillor Satvir Kaur, Neil Drury, Engineering and Infrastructure Director of South Western Railway as well as Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Councillor Eamonn Keogh, all spent Thursday morning touring the south side of the station, gaining valuable insight into the full details of the works.

The improvements will enhance the arrival experience at the station for what is a key gateway into the city, improving the interchange for everyone, including cruise passengers, and encourage more people to visit the city by rail. Onward journeys will be easier with a range of sustainable travel options made available.

Works are progressing to schedule. The laying of the new high-quality paving within the forecourt area is making good progress. Work has also recently started on Western Esplanade focusing on the taxi facilities with a new dedicated taxi waiting area along Western Esplanade to provide taxi waiting capacity outside the forecourt area for 10 vehicles, and a taxi rank for five vehicles created in a dedicated area of the forecourt.  Upgraded parking for people with disabilities and 20 minutes waiting will be provided within the forecourt area and benefit from an improved layout.

The works will also include amendments to the entrance and exit to and from the forecourt, and pedestrian improvements along Western Esplanade, including an upgrade to the toucan crossing across Western Esplanade. This will enhance connections for people walking and wheeling to the City Centre.

The £5.5 million revamp will also deliver new improved waiting areas including a new cruise passenger waiting lounge, with real-time information display, that can provide a range of messages such as cruise and train information and better access to sustainable travel options through state-of-the-art new bus facilities including dedicated bus stops providing improved bus accessibility. Pedestrians will benefit from improved access with dedicated crossing points within the forecourt.

The new passenger waiting lounge will give shelter and comfort for passengers passing through the station, including the many cruise passengers that arrive by rail. The waiting lounge will be in a style that will complement the art deco style of the main station building and include a green roof.

The long-term vision, currently being shaped through the council’s draft Local Plan, is to create a progressive and liveable city centre in line with other cities across the country. One that is safe and well connected, to attract more tourists. The additional better travel options for all will build a sense of community amongst users, whether that’s families enjoying quality time outdoors or commuters finding cheaper ways to get to work.

Councillor Satvir Kaur, Leader of Southampton City Council, comments:

“As the busiest station in Hampshire, it is only right and fitting that we improve our city’s gateways, to ensure people visiting our city have the best welcome, so we can help deliver on our plans to become a destination city.

“With public transport becoming increasingly popular, as a sustainable alternative, it is vital that our offer in modern, attractive and accessible. This scheme forms part of our wider plans to improve public transport across the city and reduce congestion.

“Balfour Beatty Living Places are making strong progress at Central Station, they are now halfway through the works and are on track for completion in November.”

Neil Drury, Engineering and Infrastructure Director of South Western Railway, said:

“South Western Railway (SWR) is delighted to be working in partnership with Southampton City Council and Balfour Beatty Living Places to improve people’s journeys when travelling through Southampton Central station.

"We know the railway is the most sustainable form of public transport and, as the first UK train operator to publish a detailed roadmap to deliver net zero by 2040, SWR is always looking to encourage people to take advantage of greener ways of travelling. The works taking place at this station will improve access to sustainable travel and help to cut down local emissions and traffic.

"We’re really looking forward to seeing the completed scheme, which will help to make it easier for people to move in and around the city on foot and by bike and bus and provide an attractive welcome to the city for travellers.”

Brian Hammersley, Contract Director, Balfour Beatty Living Places comments:

“The Central Station Interchange project is the next stage in a transformational programme of work that we are delighted to be delivering for Southampton City Council, through the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework. The project is progressing very well, supported by a suite of the most up to date and innovative digital tools and systems. As part of the project, we are also heavily focussed on the social impact the works can generate. I am really looking forward to seeing the project completed later in 2023 and continuing the great relationship we have built with SWR.”

For more information visit Connecting Southampton.