THE HALF a million pound project to revamp Malvern Link Station has been unveiled after nearly 12 months of work.
Dignitaries including the town’s mayor and MP were in attendance for the sun-drenched formal opening on Friday (March 14).
The improvements, which have been in the works since last April, include a brand new ticket office, indoor waiting area on Platform 2, a refurbished car park including enhanced cycle storage as well as new disabled and pedestrian access from Osborne Road leading directly to Malvern Community Hospital.
Other subtle enhancements include new lighting and heritage style fencing and floral displays along the platforms.
The new buildings have been designed to reflect the architecture throughout the rest of the town and were warmly welcomed by guests in attendance on the day including Cynthia Moore, who since the age of 15 had lived in the house next to the new ticket office.
She had the honour of cutting the cake during the ceremony alongside Harriett Baldwin MP for West Worcestershire who said: “I am pleased that the work to improve Malvern Link train station is now complete and is another chapter in the re-vitalisation of the town.
“With the new hospital, the new station, a new fire station and two care villages in the Link, millions of pounds have been spent improving the area.
“I welcome the fact that the work was planned with the input of the civic society and other local experts to ensure that they are in keeping with the station’s heritage.
“I will continue to press for investment to improve the number, reliability and frequency of services from this station.”
Mayor Julian Roskams added: “Railway stations are the gateways to our communities.
“It is no coincidence that it was the arrival of the railway that saw Malvern’s emergence as a prime tourist destination.
“That tradition continues to this day and for those many visitors Malvern Link Railway station will be their first glimpse of the splendours that lie beyond.
“So how very fortunate we now are that we have such an impressive entrance giving visitors on their arrival such a wonderful first impression of our town.”
The bridge connecting the platforms is also set to be painted in the same colour scheme as the new buildings before the 100 year old footway is completely overhauled in 2016.
The work so far has cost an estimated £500,000 and is part of Worcestershire County Council’s Worcester Transport Strategy.
The council has secured £14.2million of investment from the Department for Transport and match funded the rest itself along with third party groups.
