Exeter Central gets £2.7m overhaul to help end peak-time bottlenecks
Exeter Central, which handles almost three million passengers a year, has reopened with a larger concourse, new smart-ticket barriers and an improved customer area after a £2.7m investment by Network Rail and the Department for Transport.
Passengers at Exeter Central will notice the difference from this week, as a £2.7m refurbishment tackles the overcrowded stairwells and slow-moving queues that have long frustrated commuters and visitors during the station's busiest periods.
The station, used by almost three million people a year, has been given a larger concourse, new smart-ticket gatelines, an open-plan customer assistance desk and additional retail space. The project was jointly funded by Network Rail's Industry Revenue Generating Investment (IRGI) programme and the Department for Transport.
GWR has confirmed that a preferred tenant is lined up for the new retail space, a small vendor selling hot and cold drinks and snacks, in keeping with similar offerings at other stations across the network.
The expansion directly addresses a long-standing problem at one of the South West's busiest stations. Stairwell bottlenecks during major sporting events and the Christmas market period had affected passenger flow and comfort. The new smart-ticket gatelines accept mobile tickets and smart cards, and together with the enlarged concourse are designed to keep people moving, and the gatelines in operation, even at the busiest times.
"Exeter Central sits at the heart of our city, connecting residents, businesses, students and visitors with opportunities across the South West."
Exeter MP Steve Race, who attended Friday's opening event, said the investment recognised the importance of modern transport infrastructure for a growing city. He added that the improvements would help the station meet increasing demand in the years ahead while making it a more attractive and welcoming gateway to Exeter, supporting the wider economic vitality of the city.
The open-plan customer assistance desk replaces a more enclosed layout, and has been designed to be more accessible for elderly passengers, families and those with reduced mobility.
GWR and Network Rail Western Joint Route Strategy Director Joanna Grew said the work had been designed with the customer at heart. She said the expanded concourse and improved layout would help passengers move more freely and safely, particularly during the busiest periods, and that the upgrades would make a real difference to the millions of people who use the station every year.
Council Leader Phil Bialyk described Exeter Central as a key city centre gateway and said the city's rapid growth in recent years had made the upgrade necessary. Exeter has seen a significant rise in rail passengers and the station is now among the busiest in the South West.
“Rail travel is a great way for people to get in and out of Exeter, and I am so pleased that these improvements will ensure that Exeter Central – which is such a key city centre gateway – will continue to thrive in the future.”
The project was funded through Network Rail's Industry Revenue Generating Investment (IRGI) programme, which targets schemes that are financially positive and reduce overall costs to government, alongside a contribution from the Department for Transport.