The Cabinet has approved plans for significant improvement works to begin in the area north of Southampton Central Station - the key gateway to the largest employment area in the region and the busiest rail station in the Solent area.

The scheme will help to bring much needed investment to the area by attracting new businesses, creating over 300 new jobs and improving the lives of local residents and passengers alike, who make over six million journeys through the station each year - a staggering rise of 33% in the last eight years.


Construction work will begin in October 2013, and includes the resurfacing of footways with granite, the creation of a new taxi rank and a turning circle to the west of the station forecourt, a new pedestrian crossing between Blechynden Terrace and West Park Road, the allocation of parking for coaches, and the provision of cycle lanes on the northern and southern sides of West Park Road.

The works will be split into smaller sections to minimise disruption to the public, with some of the road resurfacing work being carried out overnight and roads being kept open during standard working hours through the use of temporary two-way traffic lights.

The planned works incorporate the recommendations of local residents and a 'Champions Group' of local residents and businesses who were asked which improvements they would like to see at the north side of the station.

(CD/JP)