Newbury station officially opens new multi-storey car park as the redevelopment continues

Newbury station officially opened its multi-story car park today as it continues work on refurbishments.

The new car park provides more than 160 additional parking spaces along with the second of two new cycling hubs.

There is also electric car charging points and improved walking routes between the station and town centre.

Great Western Railway business development director Tom Pierpoint said: “It’s exciting to have been able to reach this stage of the project, meeting a long-held ambition of ours to better support our customers and the wider area in a more accessible and sustainable way.

“Newbury station is a key gateway to the town and this work with our partners will help secure the economic prosperity of the region as we seek to build back better from the pandemic.”

The cycling hubs provide 300 extra spaces and are fitted with CCTV, as well as environmentally-friendly motion sensor LED lighting.

A new bike repair stand also features within the redevelopment, encouraging more active methods of transportation.

Vice chairman of the Berkshire Local Transport Body and board director at Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Bob Mountain said the redevelopment would encourage “sustainable travel” as well as creating a “gateway” into Newbury.

According to Great Western Railway, the plan for the station refurbishment is to include seven ticket gates on the north side and six on the south side, which will be located inside of the station.

There will also be improvements to the public access, making walking and linking to buses easier.

The station will also host new sales and waiting areas, moving the station building closer to the recently installed lift bridge.

The south side of the station will host new business growth units.

West Berkshire Council’s executive member for economic development Ross Mackinnon said he was “confident” that this redevelopment will “support the local economy”.

He said that that it will aid the council’s long-term strategic priority to help businesses start, develop and thrive within West Berkshire.

Mr Mackinnon said: “In recent months we’ve been focussing on supporting local businesses to respond and adapt to Covid-19, including administering grants and other financial support.

“But we also need to look to the future, doing whatever we can to help the West Berkshire economy to recover and grow in a post-Covid world.”