UK: ‘We designed the station in a way which provides delight and a high-quality experience to the user’, said architect Erik Behrens, Design Practice Director at AECOM, when designs for the rebuilding of Stanford-le-Hope station were unveiled by Thurrock Council.
‘Its modern canopy structures lend the station a visual prominence and character that is open and all inviting. The new station will not only enhance all passenger experiences and safety, it will furthermore create a new gateway and communal space which holds the potential of becoming a catalyst for future developments in its surroundings.’
| Stanford-le-Hope station modernisation | |
|---|---|
| Client | Thurrock Council |
| Contractor | VolkerFitzpatrick |
| Project Manager | MACE |
| Design Consultant | AECOM |
| Infrastructure manager | Network Rail |
| Train operator | c2c |
Seamless sequence
The station is intended to be easy to navigate, with ‘a seamless sequence of passenger experiences’ from journey planning to arrival, ticketing, waiting and boarding.
There will be two new entrance structures with a ticket office, toilets and small coffee shop. Translucent roof panels will provide ‘airy well-lit concourse spaces’ designed to be inviting and maximise visibility as far as possible to feel open and safe.
Passenger areas will be naturally ventilated and make maximum use of daylight, with intelligent LED lighting used throughout the station to reduce energy consumption and control light spillage.
The London-bound platform 1 will be widened to ease overcrowding during peak hours, and the old footbridge will be replaced with a modern structure with lifts to provide step-free access.
Construction
The work is being funded by the government’s Local Growth Deal, the National Stations Improvement Programme and planning obligation funding from DP World.
Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick is scheduled to begin enabling works this year.
‘Our team is focused and working hard in the office to get everything ready for starting the physical work’, said Operations Director Paul Lilley on May 31. ‘Our collaborative and methodical approach will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and that progress is made safely and swiftly.’
AECOM’s Rail Director Shadi Shekarrizi said ‘we will be looking into off-site construction methods to reduce the time required on site, and the amount of disruption and track or station possessions’.
Councillor Mark Coxshall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & External Affairs at tHurrock Council, said ’the major redevelopment of Stanford-le-Hope railway station is now moving at pace, and I am delighted that residents will soon see spades hitting the ground.’
