Ipswich railway station has been nominated for a prestigious award as we near the end of a year when it has been transformed by a £2m facelift.
It has been shortlisted to be crowned “Station of the Year” at the National Rail Awards.
The station has recently undergone a £2 million redevelopment with a wide range of improvements including a complete refurbishment of the existing ticket hall to create more space during busy periods, refurbished waiting rooms, open plan counter service, additional ticket vending machines and an improved layout of the station forecourt and bus interchange.
The internal work was funded and carried out by Greater Anglia and has seen Greggs and Starbucks join WH Smith on the concourse for passengers heading away from the station.
The forecourt was rebuilt by Suffolk County Council linking into the Travel Ipswich project aimed at making the town more accessible for people walking or using public transport.
James Steward, Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager for Ipswich said, “I’m delighted that Ipswich has been shortlisted to be named Station of the Year.
“The work that has been done here has transformed the station and its surroundings, and has helped to ease congestion, making our customers’ lives a little easier when they travel with us.”
Although the station forecourt work was completed earlier in the year, it has not been formally reopened because the council and Greater Anglia are waiting for the resurfacing work on nearby Ranelagh Road and Burrell Road to be completed before the formal reopening is marked.
Also shortlisted is Cambridge Station and Greater Anglia train driver, Stuart Connell, who is nominated for the Outstanding Personal Contribution Award.
Mr Connell was hailed a hero last year when he put the safety of his passengers above his own after the train he was driving collided with a tractor at a level crossing near Thetford in Norfolk.
Although he was badly injured in the collision and in shock, having avoided a derailment Mr Connell continued his duties, walking the train to reassure and look after the 135 passengers, who later called him a ‘hero’.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here