Updated plans for the new and improved Northampton Railway Station have been officially revealed.
At twice the size of the present station, the prominent, gateway building will offer more capacity and better facilities.
Located in the Northampton Enterprise Zone, the £20m development is set to start in Spring this year and complete in Summer 2014. It is a key part of ‘Northampton Alive’ – a thriving series of improvements to Northampton town centre.
The full plans are featured on a dedicated website that will operate for the duration of the project. They are also being displayed in a public exhibition at the Northampton Grosvenor Centre, running from Monday 4 February to Saturday 9 February.
Chris Garden, Director of Regeneration at West Northamptonshire Development Corporation said: “These plans are an exciting indication of what the bigger and better station will look like. Over coming weeks we will be agreeing the finer design details, while respecting the rich heritage of the site. Northampton will finally have the station it deserves.”
Cllr Jim Harker, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council, said: “Transforming Northampton Castle Station is a key project in helping boost the economy in Northampton, our county town. The county council is pleased to be able to play an important part both in the funding and in the realisation of this project. For many, the railway station will be their first introduction to Northamptonshire so it’s absolutely essential that this gateway gives a first-rate impression.”
Cllr David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council said: “When people arrive in our town we want them to feel they are in a place that is welcoming, forward thinking and open for business. This is another exciting project that shows how Northampton is Alive with culture, heritage and enterprise. The new railway station will be good for residents that commute, create the right impression for visitors to our town and supports our ambitious business community and the Waterside Enterprise Zone.”
Brian Binley, Member of Parliament for Northampton South and formulator of Northampton Alive, said he was delighted to see the plans for the station coming to fruition in such a positive way. “We battled hard to get the money from the Department of Transport, not least because the new station is so important to the Enterprise Zone, which will create many new opportunities for today’s generation and those who follow.”
The public exhibition will take place on the ground floor of the Grosvenor Centre, near the Superdry store. It will run from Monday 4 February to Saturday 9 February, 10am to 4pm.