Latest updates on the development of Kidderminster Station Improvements

7 December 2021

Paralympic silver-medallist Rebecca Redfern unveiled a special plaque at Kidderminster Railway Station to mark its official opening.

 

The new station opened in June 2020 following a multi-million-pound transformation. Due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions nationwide at the time, no official event could be held to mark the opening.

 

Worcestershire County Council held an opening event with invited guests on Friday (3 December) to mark the occasion, with a plaque unveiled at the station by Droitwich-born Rebecca who won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in the 100-metre breaststroke event.

 

Councillor Alan Amos, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “I’m so pleased that we have finally been able to celebrate the opening of this wonderful, fully refurbished station.

 

“Investment into infrastructure has been greater in recent years than at any stage in the last three decades and we continue our investment into transport and seek to better connect our places, people and businesses across Worcestershire and beyond.

 

“Our investment into improving the rail network, and working with partners to achieve this, is an important part of our long-term strategy for better connection.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Worcestershire LEP is proud to have invested in the transformation of Kidderminster Rail Station, expanding the station to meet the growing footfall now and expected in the future.

“This investment forms part of Worcestershire’s Plan for growth to 2040 to better connect the county within the wider region. This improvement now leads the work to develop the improvement of services in the county.”

Ian Baxter, Strategy Director at SLC Rail said: "I'm delighted that we've come together to mark the transformation of Kidderminster Railway Station. This has seen SLC Rail, and many other organisations and partners, support Worcestershire County Council to bring to life its vision to create a new inviting gateway that we can all be proud of.

“It's just the start of a better connected railway for Kidderminster, as we progress plans Worcestershire’s ambitions for new services towards Oxford and London and improved car parking provision."

Simone Carter, West Midlands Railway Station Manager, said: “The new-look Kidderminster Station is already making a positive difference to our customers’ journeys and will continue to do so for decades to come.

“As more passengers continue to return to the railway following the pandemic, it is a privilege for our station team to be able to welcome people back in such an improved, comfortable and spacious environment.”

Rebecca Redfern added: “It was an honour to be invited along to the official opening and to unveil the plaque. The station looks very impressive now so well done to all involved.”

 

The station in Kidderminster features an impressive glass-fronted station building, which is double the size of the old building. Along with the new building, there were a number of other improvements made to the forecourt area to make it safer for pedestrians to access the station and to improve the drop-off, taxi and disabled parking arrangements.

The improvement works were mainly funded by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership via the Local Growth Fund with contributions from Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council.

Amongst the guests in attendance were Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest; Councillor Alan Amos, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport; representatives from SLC Rail, West Midlands Rail Executive, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, Wyre Forest District Council, Buckingham Group Contracting, Cotswold Line Promotion Group, Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership, Kidderminster Railway Museum, West Midlands Railway and Severn Valley Railway.



The completion of Kidderminster Railway Station in June 2020 followed the opening of Worcestershire Parkway Railway Station in Norton in February of that year, Worcestershire’s first new railway station for over 100 years.



Kidderminster Railway Station is the second busiest station in Worcestershire, with nearly 2 million passengers using the station every year before the pandemic hit.

3 June 2020

Worcestershire County Council has announced that the new Kidderminster Station building will be open on Sunday 7 June.

The brand new glass-fronted station building, which is double the size of the old building, will be fully open to the public from this Sunday.

Along with the new building, there have been a number of improvements made to the forecourt area to make it safer for pedestrians to access the station and to improve the drop-off, taxi and disabled parking arrangements.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “It’s great news that the new station building which is a huge asset to the area, will be open and ready for when the current restrictions begin to ease.

“The customer experience at the station will be vastly improved and the changes to the forecourt layout will make it much easier for pedestrians to access the building safely. I look forward to being part of a more official opening in the not too distant future.”

The improvement works have been mainly funded by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership via the Local Growth Fund with contributions from Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

Brenda Lawrence, head of stations for West Midlands Railway, said: “The new bigger and brighter Kidderminster station is a fantastic addition to the town and will offer our customers a much-improved travelling experience.

“At the moment, with government advice on social distancing still in place and limited capacity on board our services, we are asking our customers to only use the train for essential journeys where they have no other means of transport.”

The County Council has confirmed that there will be an official opening later in the year with more details to follow.

10 March 2020

Upcoming essential night works 

Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 March, 11:30pm to 7:30am

Sunday 15 to Tuesday 17 March, 11:30pm to 4:00am 

Night works will take place as above to resurface Platform 1 of the station.

29 July 2019

The main Kidderminster Station building is set to be demolished this week as part of major upgrade works - half a century on from when it was first built.

Demolition of the old building will make way for the brand new, glass-fronted building that will be double the size. The new building will be much better equipped to deal with the nearly two million passengers that use the station each year, a number that is set to increase – already making it the second busiest station in the county.

Once the demolition is complete and the site of the new station building cleared, work can start on the construction of the new station with the first job being the laying of the foundations.

3 July 2019

Work to modernise Kidderminster Station takes another step forward later this month.

Making way for the new bigger and better glass fronted station building, the current ticket office is soon to be demolished. 

Whilst this next phase of essential works takes place, temporary forecourt arrangements will be in place from 15 July.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure said: “Following the huge range of preparation works that have taken place over the last few months, these new temporary arrangements will enable the main station building works to begin. 

“With the demolition of the old and work soon starting on the foundations of the new, this marks a real step forward in the programme that will see the station building completely rebuilt.  

“We have worked hard to try and minimise disruption however, whilst the changes will be clearly signed, I would encourage regular users of the station to take time to familiarise themselves with the temporary changes. 

“The open day next week is an ideal opportunity for station users to come and learn more about the progress of the scheme, and to ask questions about the temporary changes ahead of the next phase of works.”

During this next phase of works, a temporary ticket office will be in use along with temporary toilet facilities. 

Train services will not be affected by the works however there will be a short term change to the location of the taxi waiting area and disabled parking bays. 

Access to the platforms will also change, as will the drop off and pick up point.

There will also be a change to vehicle flow into the car park with reverse parking only bays in certain areas. 

Some footpaths will also be been relocated.

All temporary changes will be clearly sign-posted and a map has been produced to help regular users of the station be aware ahead of them being implemented.

Richard Brooks, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “The new station will not only improve the experience for existing rail passengers at Kidderminster, but will also provide a real boost for the local economy. 

“While trains will operate as normal throughout these works – with some temporary changes to the layout around the station, we would advise rail passengers to allow a bit of extra time when using services over the summer.

“The finished project will create a more welcoming gateway for those visiting the Severn Valley Railway or simply travelling to and from the local area.”

If you would like more information, have any questions or would like to talk through the new temporary arrangements at the station, members of the project team will be available the week before the changes are live on Wednesday 10 July from 7.30am to 6pm.

March 2019

Next phase of Kidderminster Station Improvements to begin later this month

Since work began on the scheme at the start of this year, works on the forecourt have moved forward.

When work on the forecourt area, which is currently fenced off, is complete, it will then revert to being used as a passenger drop off area and taxi rank.

It will also host temporary ticket office facilities until the works on the new station building are complete

20 February 2019

The station approach, forecourt and car park circulatory system were reconfigured last night to provide space for the preparatory work to take place ahead of the station revamp scheme starting in earnest. The taxi rank and passenger drop-off area have been relocated and passengers are asked to be mindful of the changes and follow the signage. Drivers are also asked to note that a one way system has been introduced on the approach and exit to the car park and no U-turning is permitted in the station forecourt..

The pedestrian ramp accessing the station from Comberton Hill will be unaffected and pedestrians approaching from the main station entrance will be directed around the works.

15 January 2019

Prep works in the forecourt area of the station started last week ahead of the main forecourt and station works starting. These works include the removal of the island, some drainage works requiring part of the forecourt to be fenced off and some marking out of temporary car parking spaces. The pedestrian ramp accessing the station from Comberton Hill will be unaffected and pedestrians approaching from the main station entrance will be directed around the works.

The taxi rank and passenger drop off area have been relocated and passengers are asked to be mindful of these changes. Drivers are also asked to note that a one way system has been introduced on the approach and exit to the car park.

3 July 2019

Work to modernise Kidderminster Station takes another step forward later this month.

Making way for the new bigger and better glass fronted station building, the current ticket office is soon to be demolished. 

Whilst this next phase of essential works takes place, temporary forecourt arrangements will be in place from 15 July.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure said: “Following the huge range of preparation works that have taken place over the last few months, these new temporary arrangements will enable the main station building works to begin. 

“With the demolition of the old and work soon starting on the foundations of the new, this marks a real step forward in the programme that will see the station building completely rebuilt.  

“We have worked hard to try and minimise disruption however, whilst the changes will be clearly signed, I would encourage regular users of the station to take time to familiarise themselves with the temporary changes. 

“The open day next week is an ideal opportunity for station users to come and learn more about the progress of the scheme, and to ask questions about the temporary changes ahead of the next phase of works.”

During this next phase of works, a temporary ticket office will be in use along with temporary toilet facilities. 

Train services will not be affected by the works however there will be a short term change to the location of the taxi waiting area and disabled parking bays. 

Access to the platforms will also change, as will the drop off and pick up point.

There will also be a change to vehicle flow into the car park with reverse parking only bays in certain areas. 

Some footpaths will also be been relocated.

All temporary changes will be clearly sign-posted and a map has been produced to help regular users of the station be aware ahead of them being implemented.

Richard Brooks, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “The new station will not only improve the experience for existing rail passengers at Kidderminster, but will also provide a real boost for the local economy. 

“While trains will operate as normal throughout these works – with some temporary changes to the layout around the station, we would advise rail passengers to allow a bit of extra time when using services over the summer.

“The finished project will create a more welcoming gateway for those visiting the Severn Valley Railway or simply travelling to and from the local area.”

If you would like more information, have any questions or would like to talk through the new temporary arrangements at the station, members of the project team will be available the week before the changes are live on Wednesday 10 July from 7.30am to 6pm.

March 2019

Next phase of Kidderminster Station Improvements to begin later this month

Since work began on the scheme at the start of this year, works on the forecourt have moved forward.

When work on the forecourt area, which is currently fenced off, is complete, it will then revert to being used as a passenger drop off area and taxi rank.

It will also host temporary ticket office facilities until the works on the new station building are complete.

20 February 2019

The station approach, forecourt and car park circulatory system were reconfigured last night to provide space for the preparatory work to take place ahead of the station revamp scheme starting in earnest. The taxi rank and passenger drop-off area have been relocated and passengers are asked to be mindful of the changes and follow the signage. Drivers are also asked to note that a one way system has been introduced on the approach and exit to the car park and no U-turning is permitted in the station forecourt..

The pedestrian ramp accessing the station from Comberton Hill will be unaffected and pedestrians approaching from the main station entrance will be directed around the works.

15 January 2019

Prep works in the forecourt area of the station started last week ahead of the main forecourt and station works starting. These works include the removal of the island, some drainage works requiring part of the forecourt to be fenced off and some marking out of temporary car parking spaces. The pedestrian ramp accessing the station from Comberton Hill will be unaffected and pedestrians approaching from the main station entrance will be directed around the works.

The taxi rank and passenger drop off area have been relocated and passengers are asked to be mindful of these changes. Drivers are also asked to note that a one way system has been introduced on the approach and exit to the car park.