[Press release from Solum Regeneration]
Plans to redevelop significant parts of Redhill station and to regenerate the wider station area will go out to public consultation next week.
The station will offer a new ticket office, larger concourse area and more ticket machines. It will also provide step free access from a new pedestrian only public square at the front of the station to the platforms.
The station improvements are being funded by the redevelopment of the station car park areas, which will deliver a new foodstore along with smaller retail units and around 150 new homes for town centre living. Over 100 new jobs could be created at the new foodstore. Additional station car parking will be provided in a multi-storey car park on the eastern side of the station off Redstone Hill, along with improved cycle provision.
Residents are being invited to a public exhibition that will take place between:
- 9am – 5.30pm, Friday 13 July 2012
- 9am – 5.30pm, Saturday 14 July 2012
In the Belfry Shopping Centre, Redhill (next to the main lift, Upper Level)
Residents will also shortly be able to comment online at www.redhillforward.co.uk.
Edward Pearce, Development Manager of Solum Regeneration, said:
“The redevelopment of the Redhill Station area is a key component of the Council’s aspiration to regenerate Redhill. Our vision is to create a new arrival point and Gateway into Redhill and to create a pedestrian friendly environment that feels safe and secure.
“Redeveloping brownfield sites near good public transport connections such as stations is widely recognised as a sustainable way of meeting our housing and development needs.
“We are still at the early stages of the development process and we do not have a finally worked up design. However, we want to get feedback from local people before working up the scheme in more detail.
“We hope local residents and those that use the station will come to the exhibition and feed in their ideas before we finalise our plans.”
Solum is also exploring the possibility of re-developing the area around the Marketfield Way foot tunnel ‘Grot Spot’ by possibly providing a new community hall along with housing and refurbishing the station underpass.
Edward Pearce added:
“We are exploring the possibility of regenerating this area but would clearly need to work closely with the local groups that currently use the hall. We would welcome any feedback on this.”
The development is being promoted by Solum Regeneration (a partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property) that was established to deliver improvements to railway stations at no cost to the taxpayer or travelling public through the development of underutilised railway land. They are working closely with Southern, the Train Operating Company that manage Redhill station.
Councillor Mrs Natalie Bramhall, Redhill Borough Councillor and Executive Member for Property and Regeneration at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said:
“I am pleased that regeneration plans for this important site are moving forward. Solum Regeneration’s proposals reflect our aspirations for the station site as set out in our Redhill Town Centre Area Action Plan. They will greatly improve this important entrance point to the town centre and provide a positive step towards realising the regeneration of Redhill”
Solum Regeneration will be working up their plans in more detail and intend to submit a planning application later in the year.
Notes:
Solum Regeneration is a joint venture between Network Rail and Kier Property established to bring private investment into the rail network. It aims to deliver improvements to railway stations at no cost to the taxpayer or travelling public through the development of underutilised railway land. Solum is already building schemes at Epsom and Walthamstow and has recently secured planning permission at Twickenham. See www.solumregeneration.co.uk for more information.
Twitter
RSS
I am pleased to see these plans regarding improvements to Redhill. My only hesitation is whether this is truly being considered in conjunction with the plans seen earlier in the year for regeneration in other parts of Redhill.
I feel that one of the areas that Redhill falls down in is its lack of cohesiveness. All manner of different buildings and styles thrown together.
These regeneration plans are a real opportunity to define an approach to be applied consistently in all the new buildings rather than adding to the already jumbled and inconsistent feel of the town at present.
Individually the proposals look good, particulary the additional parking and improvements to shops and restaurants etc. However for this to truly be a success the various parties involved need to work together so that there is a shared vision.
As the crowds around the Belfry exhibition boards were thick I decided to wait until they were posted onto the Redhillforward website – the rep said this would done by Monday (16th). Attempts to view these since Monday have failed due to a broken link. No response as yet to my e-mail to them yesterday (17th) morning pointing this out. Pretty rubbish communications! Have the councillors had any better luck in accessing the information?
John – thanks for letting me know – I asked the Council officer to chase Solum and the material from the display boards is now on their site, at:
http://www.redhillforward.co.uk/downloads.aspx