£100m fund for self funding station improvements

[deltic]

Network rail release


News Releases: National
BIDS INVITED FOR NEW £100M STATION IMPROVEMENT FUND

Monday 18 Apr 2011 15:30
"Stations of any size could benefit from a new £100m station improvement fund launched by Network Rail and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) today.

To be eligible, proposals must make improvements to the station environment and also reduce the overall public subsidy for rail by generating a financial return. There is no cap on the maximum value of proposals and bids are welcomed from third-party organisations as well as train operators and Network Rail itself.

Mike Goggin, director of stations and customer service at Network Rail, said, “This is a great opportunity for the rail industry to think innovatively about how to improve stations without increasing the burden on the taxpayer. It is also an opportunity for local authorities and third parties to get involved and we encourage prospective projects to build relationships to improve the strength of their bid.”

Alec McTavish, director of policy and operations at ATOC, said: “Train companies, working with Network Rail, are committed to improving stations around the country, so additional funding is very welcome. We are looking forward to assessing high quality bids which will bring real benefits to passengers and demonstrate how they can provide a healthy financial return.”

Proposals will be assessed by a panel including the Department for Transport, ATOC and Network Rail.

To be considered for the first tranche of funding, proposals are requested by 17 June 2011. A second tranche will be released in October 2011 for which proposals are requested by 30 September 2011."

Presumably this is aimed at pump priming retail space and the like that will then generate new revenue. Any suggestions for investment at stations that will pay its way?

 

[YorkshireBear]

i hope a group tries to access this fund for wakefield kirkgate

 

[WatcherZero]

Agree, looks to be about pump priming retail or gating. E.g. 'I will renovate the station waiting rooms and make the money back through adding new gates.'

 

[Yew]

Agree, looks to be about pump priming retail or gating. E.g. 'I will renovate the station waiting rooms and make the money back through adding new gates.'

How about refurbishing trains, and puting gates on the doors?

 

[Rhydgaled]

Station improvments need to be things like waiting rooms. The NSIP plan for Aberystwyth included massive lettering outside, what a waste of money. Aberystwyth has a cafe, toilets and a ticket office but no waiting room. Not pleasant waiting for a train in the winter, especially when the station is staffed and you can see plenty of private/staff only doors where I assume a waiting room could be put. The expendature required to open a waiting room would be much more useful than spending the money on giant lettering.

 

[142094]

Probably a big money spinner for Network Rail, anyone know how much a proportion of its income is derived from rents and ground charges?

 

[Skimble19]

I can think of a fair few stations that could benefit from platform buildings and canopies being re-built (e.g. those demolished by BR..!) or refurbished.. with the way of making money being a section was given over to retail.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I can think of a fair few stations that could benefit from platform buildings and canopies being re-built (e.g. those demolished by BR..!) or refurbished.. with the way of making money being a section was given over to retail.

I wonder if there's a way to make money from Milford Haven and Pembroke (no buildings) and Whitand (building in need of refurbishing and re-opening).

 

[The Barlow Boy]

i hope a group tries to access this fund for wakefield kirkgate

Yep, that should be enough to knock the eyesore down and replace it with up and down platforms with bus shelters.