Important upgrades to improve accessibility, local connections and increase capacity at Feltham station have been completed, Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has announced, thanks to government investment of £31 million.
The station and the surrounding area has seen a host of improvements since Network Rail began work in September 2018, delivering significant benefits to passengers on a busy commuter line into London Waterloo. These include extended platforms to allow longer 10-car trains to call, while the Feltham West level crossing has been closed to improve community safety.
Accessibility has also been enhanced with the construction of a new shared pedestrian and cycle bridge, providing a bike-friendly route over the railway, along with a further step-free entrance to platform 1, next to newly positioned bus stops, improving local connections.
It comes as a £375 million project to replace older signalling with new state-of-the-art equipment continues, with the new technology set to improve reliability for passengers by reducing the time it takes to restore services in times of disruption.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said:
"These important upgrades to Feltham station will make a huge difference on this key commuter line from London Waterloo, providing smoother passenger journeys and improved accessibility into and between platforms.
"This investment underlines our commitment to build back better out of COVID-19, delivering improved journeys for passengers as they return to the railway."
Mark Killick, route director at Network Rail Wessex, said:
"We’re committed to providing better journeys for passengers. These improvements, on a key route into London, make the station more accessible for passengers and the local community."
The Feltham and Wokingham Resignalling Programme (FWRP) involves the full renewal of the signalling systems and is being delivered in 6 stages between 2021 and 2024. As part of the work, a number of level crossings in the area are being upgraded to improve the reliability and resilience of services, and to ensure the safety of local residents using them.
Alex Foulds, South Western Railway’s Commercial Projects Director, said:
"This joint effort to enhance Feltham station is fantastic news for our customers and the local community. The improvements to accessibility, a modern new station entrance and improved links with cycle and bus routes will make the station a first-class gateway to the area.
"The extended platforms will also welcome our brand-new fleet of longer Arterio trains later this year, fully equipped with charging points at every seat, onboard wifi and increased capacity."
The news comes ahead of the introduction of a new state-of-the-art train stabling and maintenance depot in Feltham that will serve South Western Railway’s new £1 billion fleet of Arterio trains when it opens later this year.