Mayor marks completion of work at Grays station

The Mayor of Thurrock, Councillor Colin Churchman, today joined Leila Frances, Route Director for c2c, at Grays station to unveil a plaque to mark the completion of a programme of work that has transformed the station forecourt and improved the environment on the station itself.

The £170,000 project, jointly funded and carried out by Thurrock Council and c2c, started in February 2005 with the focus being on integrated and accessible transport.

The station forecourt has been completely remodelled, with a dedicated "kiss and ride" area where passengers arriving by car can be dropped off or picked up safely right outside the station. A traffic island, with feature paving, controls the flow of traffic, as well as a pedestrian refuge for people crossing from one side of the forecourt to the other. Parking for disabled people has been improved and moved closer to the station, with drop-curb access to the booking hall.

For the first time, two heritage style lamp standards will provide lighting in the forecourt at night (previously the only illumination came from the booking hall).

Cycle storage has been relocated to the front of the station, doubled in size to accommodate 20 bicycles, provided with a more robust means of securing the cycle and, for the first time, covered.

While work was going on outside, there was also activity inside, the station. The underpass has been stripped out, the floor tiled and the walls clad with white metal panels. New lighting has been installed along with CCTV, and the stair treads and handrails all replaced to conform to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

The signage has been modernised with the needs of the partially sighted in mind. There is also a station totem poll with pictograms indicating the facilities at the station, and a clock.

Route Director, Leila Frances welcomed the 'new look'. "I am delighted with the work that has been carried out at Grays. It has completely transformed the station, making it welcoming and pleasant to use. Access to the station is now much safer and easier, with a designated drop-off and pick up area and where pedestrians can now safely cross using the traffic island. This is particularly important given that Grays is one of the busiest stations on the Tilbury Loop, used by people from a wide catchment area for a variety of reasons - commuting (both from and to Thurrock), shopping, leisure or just visiting friends and relatives.

What has been achieved here at Grays is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when two parties with the same goal pool time and resources for the public good. I would like to express, on behalf of everyone at c2c, my thanks to Thurrock Council for their enthusiastic participation in this project, the results of which are plain for all to see.

It is fitting, therefore, that the completion of the work should be marked by a plaque unveiled by the Mayor of Thurrock, and I am grateful for the time he has taken out of a busy schedule, to be with us today.

Cllr Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Thurrock Council is totally committed to developing a local transport network that is accessible to all. By working with c2c to improve Grays Station, we have been able to deliver a more accessible, safer and efficient service. Travel is fundamentally important to everyone and these improvements should enable rail users to make use of the service more easily and safely."

The Tilbury Loop is the name given to the line that runs from Barking to Pitsea via Rainham and Grays.