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Virgin Trains Helping To Transform Doncaster Station Entrance

Virgin Trains Helping To Transform Doncaster Station Entrance
Written by Amy

Virgin Trains is supporting a multi-million pound transformation of the entrance and approach to Doncaster station.

Doncaster Council is planning to pedestrianise the forecourt outside the station, with an attractive, partially grassed area.

The transformation of this key gateway to the town is part of the council’s plans to encourage further business investment in the town and to improve its environment for residents, visitors and rail commuters.

Virgin Trains, which manages Doncaster station, plans to support the council by investing £500,000 to create a contemporary glazed canopy to provide shelter for customers accessing a new taxi rank and drop off just over 100 metres south of the entrance to the station.

The redevelopment of the station forecourt is being carried out by the council in partnership with Virgin Trains and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. In February 2017 the council secured £7 million of Sheffield City Region funding to transform the station forecourt.

Residents, businesses and visitors to Doncaster are being asked for their views on the plans, with a number of engagement events in the coming weeks ahead of a formal submission for planning permission.

Cllr Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development, said: “The plans we have revealed for the new station forecourt are really exciting. We have worked hard to develop these with our partners, ensuring that we take into account all users of the station. It is now time to let the residents of Doncaster have their say and input.

“We need to ensure that we get this development right because for many visitors to Doncaster, the station is the first impression they get of the town centre. This needs to be a friendly and welcoming area that residents and visitors want to come back to again and again.”

Tim Hedley-Jones, Major Projects Director for Virgin Trains on its east coast route, said: “Like Doncaster Rovers, which has recently announced Virgin Trains as its shirt sponsor for the next two years, we believe the town is going places, and we’re really pleased to work with the council to transform the forecourt of the station.

“This is an important gateway to the town, and the canopy and improvements to the forecourt could significantly enhance our customers’ experience and improve visitors’ first and last impressions of Doncaster.”

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a great development at a great time for the region. It’s exactly the right sort of move forward for our ‘let’s get it done’ work ethic – harnessing drive and ambition.”

Members of the public will be able to view the plans in more detail on:

  • Friday 14th July at Frenchgate Centre from 09.00 to 17.00
  • Tuesday 18th July at Doncaster station forecourt from 07.00 to 10.00, and 15.00 to 18.00

 

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Amy