Published on: Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Passengers usingNewmarket rail station are to benefit from new facilities, thanks a partnershipproject which will see around £100K invested in improving the station.
Abellio GreaterAnglia, Newmarket Racecourses, Jockey Club Estates, Tattersalls (Europe’sleading bloodstock auctioneers), Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Coasts andHeaths Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are working together to invest inthe station and create an improved gateway to the Suffolk town whose name hasbecome synonymous with horse racing.
Work started lastweek and will include the replacement of all signs which will in future promotethe town’s heritage with the slogan, ‘Newmarket – Home of Horse Racing’.
The station, on theIpswich – Cambridge line, has received a new digital LED Customer ServiceScreen to provide train running information in a clear, easy to read format andwill also benefit from the installation of new wooden benches, a new waitingshelter and a new cycle shelter.
The station will alsobenefit from the installation of a new Scheidt & Bachman card-only ticketmachine which will, for the first time, allow customers to purchase ‘walk up and go’tickets and collect pre-paid tickets and tickets which have been bought online.
Whenpurchasing a ticket, the screen will also display relevant informationconcerning any travel restrictions that may apply to a particular ticket type,helping to ensure that customers are easily able to purchase the correct andmost appropriate ticket for their intended journey.
The platforms will be jet-washed and theedging has been repainted. Hanging baskets and large planters will also beinstalled on the platforms to create a warmer welcome for station users.
The car park will also be repaired andrelined and landscaping on the approach road will be improved.
Abellio Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, James Steward,said, “This is a significant upgrade to Newmarketstation which will create an improved ambience and pleasant station environmentfor our customers. Abellio Greater Anglia is committed to upgrades at stationsacross the network to improve the travelling experience.”
Amy Starkey, Regional Director of JockeyClub Racecourses, the owner of Newmarket Racecourses, said: “NewmarketRacecourses and Tattersalls are delighted to be making a significantcontribution to improvements to Newmarket railway station as we strive tocreate a warm welcome to passengers arriving at the Home of Horse Racing.
“Newmarket is at the centre of the horseracing and bloodstock industries, which are major employers and investors inthis part of East Anglia, and we want to celebrate this long history andheritage on our railway network. This isa step forward as we seek to continue the improvements to Newmarket’senvironment.”