Wednesday, 8 February 2023
- Significant investment funded by Government Town Deal Fund through Boston Town Deal
- Development will transform Boston railway station as the gateway to the town
- Improvements include a new community Café, bookable community space and improved customer waiting and toilet facilities
East Midlands Railway (EMR) announces over £2.8 million investment at Boston railway station funded by the Government Town Deal Fund through Boston Town Deal, The Railway Heritage Trust and EMR.
The significant development will transform Boston railway station, offering an improved customer experience to all station visitors in the future. As the gateway to the town, these improvements will offer integration with the community and transform the experience for customers who use the station.
EMR is working with Boston Town Deal, Boston Borough Council, The Railway Heritage Trust and Network Rail to provide a new community café and bookable community space, improved toilet facilities, two new start-up offices and customer waiting facilities.
There will also be external improvements including improved wayfinding and accessibility throughout. The development will include mechanical and electrical enhancements, with upgraded heating, ventilation, IT and security systems that will deliver a more sustainable and modern provision for customers travelling through the station.
The project is part of the Boston Town Deal programme of investment and was given the go-ahead by the government in 2022.
The plans for the railway station align with the Levelling Up funding and the development of Rosegarth Square which will revitalise and repurpose the area between the River Witham and the bus station, a main gateway into the town.
The Town Deal Fund was announced in 2019 and Boston secured £21.9M in Town Deal funding in 2021., EMR has been in consultation with Boston Town Deal, Boston Borough Council, The Railway Heritage Trust, Sustrans and The Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service and Accessibility Panels to ensure the vision of the railway station was shaped by the local community.
Will Rogers, Managing Director for EMR, said: “We’re delighted the investment at Boston Railway Station has been approved and we’re excited to work alongside the Town Deal and Boston Borough Council, The Railway Heritage Trust and Network Rail to significantly improve the facilities for our customers.
“The development will transform Boston Station as the gateway to the town, by encouraging integration with the surrounding community and offering an improved customer experience to all station visitors.”
Neil Kempster, Chair of Boston Town Deal said: “The refurbishment of Boston Railway Station will have a significant impact for the town for both local people and visitors to Boston.
“Enhancing this key transport link into the town was seen as an important strategic aim for the Town Deal which will have a positive impact on the town centre.
“With these improvements, the station will offer a better experience for everyone, whether making a journey or making use of the community facilities on offer.
“This project will enhance the railway station’s role and will bring increased footfall into the station. We look forward to seeing the work progress.”
Cllr Paul Skinner, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “Having a welcoming and inviting railway station is important to our residents who use the station, as well as shoppers and visitors to the town. For many visitors, their first impression of Boston starts then they arrive at the station, so it is vitally important they have a good experience.
“I’m absolutely delighted that by working with partners through the Boston Town Deal that East Midlands Railway is able to make these investments which will benefit the town.”
Robert Goulding, Station & Depot Portfolio Surveyor for Network Rail said: “Delivering a better station for rail passengers in Boston will make a huge difference for the community and visitors to the town.
“Working with expert partners, this investment will not only provide comfortable, modern facilities to wait for a train, but it’ll also allow local people to connect in dedicated spaces. I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation get underway.”