Renovation work at Southampton Central has finished, marking the end of a 2.4 million, 14 month station improvement project.

The three-stage renovation project was the 250th project of this nature carried out under the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP), and involved major internal and external work on the station.

Work included the construction of a new art deco style station frontage, an improved transport interchange for taxis and buses and a drop-off area, a new and enlarged waiting area with additional seating, a larger booking hall and improved ticket facilities, state-of-the-art destination information screens, and new toilets, including a wheelchair accessible toilet.

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Work on the project was completed by family owned construction specialists Osborne, and funding came from NSIP with additional contributions from South West Trains, Southampton City Council, and the Railway Heritage Trust, representing in excess of £1 million of additional money to the original NSIP investment.

Established three years ago with £150 million of Government funding, the cross-industry NSIP has brought better stations to millions of passengers in England and Wales, exceeding original targets and expectations. NSIP aimed to deliver improvements to a minimum of 150 stations between 2009 and 2014. Southampton Central represents the 250th station to benefit from the project, and the number continues to rise thanks to the success of the rail industry in attracting external funding for local improvements.

Jake Kelly, Customer Service Director for the South West Trains and Network Rail alliance, commented: "This improvement project has given Southampton Central station a greater presence in the region and will encourage more passengers to travel by rail to work and for pleasure. The vastly improved modern facilities we’ve added will make passenger journeys more comfortable."

(CD/GK)