In a July 8 announcement, the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) revealed details of large-scale improvements at Gatwick Airport station, to include a bigger concourse, five new lifts and eight new escalators.
The renovation, which will benefit tens of millions of rail passengers, will reduce train delays caused by platform overcrowding and congestion, while also improving the passenger experience by providing easier connections to other destinations.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said, “With 46 million people now using Gatwick Airport every year and 20 million coming by train, it is vital that we make the station more accessible and customer friendly for those traveling through it.
“We want to see Gatwick Airport’s success continue to flourish and ensure that it is ready for even more passengers in the future. Through this £150m [US$188m] investment, we will deliver vital upgrades to boost the station’s capacity and provide better, seamless journeys for all.”
The airport’s chief executive officer, Stewart Wingate, added, “Gatwick has been transformed in recent years and the redesigned train station will take the airport’s redevelopment to the next level.
“The project is a fantastic example of the public and private sector working together to deliver a world-class transport hub that will comfortably manage the expected growth in air passengers and also encourage people to switch to rail as part of our push to get more people to travel to the airport by public transportation.”
The renovation will be managed by Network Rail, in partnership with the DfT. Gatwick Airport and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership are co-funding the project, contributing £37m and £10m, respectively.
The improvement works will start in spring 2020 and will take around two years to complete. The works will be sequenced to ensure minimum disruption.