Transport Minister Opens Impressive Gateway To The Town

Today Transport Minister Rosie Winterton MP officially opened our impressive new Railway Station.

I was on hand to show Rosie around the station as she unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening.

Rosie said: "This station is a fantastic architectural addition to St Helens, as well as an improvement to local transport".

I couldn't agree more, this is a terrific project and is yet another extraordinary example of the transformation of this town. For too long people in St Helens have been forced to settle for second best - but in the last ten years people have started to see their aspirations for the
town realised.

The new station is truly impressive gateway to the town of which we can all be proud. It is integral to the regeneration of the town centre the improvements will enable a more integrated approach to transport in St Helens. The town's bus station has recently been enhanced and a raft of new bus services are linking areas of high unemployment with employment zones and training centres.

This redevelopment will give St Helens a train station that encourages people to use public transport instead of jumping in their cars.

The new station includes a new booking and ticket office, waiting areas on platforms, new lifts, a footbridge for improved access, cycle parking, digital CCTV and new customer information systems.

A 120-space park and ride, including dedicated bays for blue badge-holders is being built on the site of the former station building.