Over £1million of improvements have been completed at Harrogate railway station and are being enjoyed by customers using the busy North Yorkshire station who make over 30,000 journeys every week.
Northern, which manages the commuter hub, has unveiled new and improved facilities after considered feedback from employees, customers and local businesses.
The first phase of the improvement scheme was completed at the end of 2015 and included new toilet facilities, a complete upgrade to the waiting room on platform one, new LED lighting, anti-slip flooring, new seating, an improved station entrance and the installation of Northern’s latest innovation in cutting edge in retail technology, the Smart Wall.
The waiting room on platform one now also includes sofas, power sockets to charge mobile devices on the go as well as USB charging points and free Wi-Fi.
The station concourse has also benefitted from a new floor, wall and ceiling finishes as well as lighting upgrades, automatic doors and improvements to the interior décor.
Now, a new, heated waiting shelter has been opened on platform three for customers travelling towards Leeds. This also has power sockets and USB charging points as well as additional seating.
The rather dated toilet facilities have remained unchanged as part of these improvements.
The million pound improvements have been funded by the National Station Improvement Programme in partnership with Network Rail and the Department for Transport.
Andrew Jones MP said:
This is a £1m boost for commuters which will provide significantly better services at Harrogate train station.
The old days when commuters were left to the elements on platform 3 have gone. Not only do we have a brand new modern waiting room but there are great added extras. These include free Wi-Fi, power sockets and USB charging points. This is just the first step of transforming passengers experience and journeys. Passengers can soon expect an improved ticketing system, more services and newer trains which are on course for 2019.
As a regular user of the station I am looking forward to making full use of all the new facilities.
Richard Allan, Customer and People Experience Director for Northern said:
Harrogate is one of our busiest and fastest growing stations. We’re delighted to have been able to improve the station, helping mold it into the modern-day environment customers can appreciate today. With the latest in retail innovation, real-time train running information, modern waiting facilities and free Wi-Fi; both commuters and new visitors to the town can now enjoy a better customer experience.
Lisa McGuinness, commercial scheme sponsor for Network Rail, said:
The improvements that have taken place at Harrogate station will enhance the waiting areas and shelters for passengers to make catching the train a more pleasant experience. Network Rail has worked closely with Northern throughout this project, which has been funded by the Department for Transport, with the shared aim of improving the station for those who use it and I am confident passengers will be pleased with what has been achieved.
