Planning approval for station interchange

Plans for the first phase of a proposed multi-million regeneration programme at Derby Railway Station have been approved by Derby City Council. The first stage of work to improve the railway station and surrounding area, costing £1.8m and funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (£1.75m in total) and Derby City Council (£50,000), will create a transport interchange at the Railway Terrace/Midland Road entrance to the station. The transport interchange has been developed in partnership between Derby Cityscape - the urban regeneration company spearheading the £2 billion regeneration of the city centre, Derby City Council, Network Rail, East Midlands Trains, Arriva, Trent Barton and emda and also had input from Derby Area Taxi Operators Association. It will improve access to the station for those using public transport with bus stops at the entrance, a new 32 space taxi rank, double the amount of cycle parking, dedicated space for cars to drop passengers off, and specific areas for Blue Badge holders. Work is due to start in Summer 2010 and be completed by early 2011 with phased development to minimise disruption to passengers and the project will also tie in with works currently underway on Midland Place to create the first phase of Castleward Boulevard to link the station and the city centre. Further phases of work over the coming years will then include the refurbishment of a disused building next to the station building into 500 sq metre offices, a multi storey car park in the existing south car park, redevelopment of the station building itself and a commercial property development on the current car park sites. Derby Cityscape Chief Executive John Cadwallader explained: "The planning approval is obviously an important milestone in the plans to create a much needed transport interchange at Derby Railway Station. "The improvement of the area around the railway station is an important element of the overall £2 billion regeneration masterplan for Derby city centre. "It is vital that, when visitors arrive at Derby Railway Station, they have a good first impression of the city and have easy access into the city centre. The transport interchange will make accessing the station much easier for everyone and will help traffic to flow more easily along this busy main route. "This work, combined with the further phases around the Railway Station and of course the plans to transform the Castleward area into an urban village, are vital for the long term sustainability of this end of the city centre." Diana Gilhespy, Executive Director of Regeneration at emda, said: "This project is important for the economic prosperity of both Derby and the wider region. The new transport interchange is a priority for Derby, improving both access to the city and long term employment opportunities by reviving the surrounding area and encouraging further investment into the city." Dyan Crowther, Network Rail's route director said: "Following the transformation of the platforms, the regeneration of the outside station area will improve the passenger experience further and make access easier for all." Tim Shoveller, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains added: "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to travel with East Midlands Trains and it's crucial that our passengers get a good impression from the very start of their journey. "We're certain that the improvements currently being completed at Derby, along with these plans for a new transport interchange, will really make a big difference to people using the station". News Source : Planning approval for station interchange