Final phase of station revamp underway

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Progress to improve the appearance and amenities at Wilmslow Station has been slow but a programme of improvements are nearing completion.

The revamp started with the provision of covered cycle racks, funded by CEC and Cycle England, which are well used on a daily basis.

This was followed by the placing of an apple sculpture earlier this year and a new noticeboard which includes a copy of the new town map, funded by Wilmslow Town Council.

Building improvements began a few months ago. The first project to be tackled was the renovation of the booking hall, which now has a more modern appearance, and the brickwork on the ramps to the platforms has been cleaned.

Work is currently underway to install CCTV, convert the former Red Star office into a cafe, refurbish the waiting rooms on platforms 3 and 4 and provide additional more comfortable seating for them.

Work to clad the tunnel under the lines is half completed, which should prevent rain water getting in, a bespoke glass canopy is to be installed across the front of the station building and the car park will be redesigned to create a premium rate car park and a double row taxi rank.

Future plans for improving the look of the station include the installation of a rail trolley which was acquired from Crewe Station. This has been renovated by pupils at Wilmslow High School and it is proposed that this will be filled with flowers and displayed on the station forecourt, probably near to the new cafe.

The High School are also in process of creating artworks to decorate designated walls at the station and Wilmslow Guild is providing framed photographs of Wilmslow which will probably be used to decorate the waiting rooms.

Northern Rail estimate that all the works will be completed by December and the railway sub-group, which includes representatives from Cheshire East Council, Northern Rail, Wilmslow High School, Incredible Edible, Cycle Wilmslow, Wilmslow Trust, Wilmslow Guild and Wilmslow Trust, is working towards a formal unveiling in January 2013.

Photo: George Osborne visited Wilmslow Station in March to look at the improvements which have been made and to unveil the wooden apple sculpture.

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Wilmslow Station
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Vince Chadwick
Tuesday 23rd October 2012 at 3:15 pm
Are we to lose the free short-stay pick-up and drop-off places outside the front of the station?
If so, that would be a retrograde step. All that needs to be done is to prevent taxis from filling them all!

Also, I undrstand that the toilets are to be 'improved'. I hope they will remain free of charge like the old ones, and unlike those at Piccadilly.
Stuart Redgard
Tuesday 23rd October 2012 at 10:43 pm
I believe that just one minor correction needs to be made to this article. Cladding the tunnel under the lines will not prevent rain water getting in. It will just cover up the unsightly damage caused to the brickwork, due to years of water ingress.