Long-awaited plans for the biggest upgrade to Ryde Esplanade train and bus station in 50 years have finally been revealed.
As part of the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the seafront in Ryde, work is being undertaken to improve the visual impact of the town’s transport interchange.
Despite work having already got underway with the demolition of public toilets at Western Gardens and new paving, residents have been patiently awaiting news of what exactly will be done at the Esplanade station.
It has now been revealed that the whole station will be given a major facelift, both internally and externally, in what will be the biggest upgrade to the 158-year-old station since the 1970s. Planning has been submitted to alterations and refurbishment of the existing station buildings to include new public toilets, café and pedestrian link to Ryde Pier.
Under the plans, a new cafe with glazed frontage will be situated at the dry end of the pier with an extended, covered concourse to the rear allowing access to the new pedestrian gangway up the Pier. It’s in this area that the new public toilets will be situated, as well as an ATM.
South Western Railway will benefit from a new waiting hall and ticket office, as well as a back office operations room and staff accommodation to include a kitchen, toilet and lockers. Meanwhile, Southern Vectis will have a ticket office, back office operations room, staff accommodation and a Tourism Information Counter.
The existing retail space will be retained and a new retail space will become available thanks to the relocation of Southern Vectis’ operations.
Additional elements of the scheme include storage for the local Community Rail Partnership and the installation of a large and instantly recognisable rail sign to make the presence of a railway station clearer.
The plans have been submitted by the Isle of Wight Council as opposed to Network Rail.
Excellent news. Long overdue for a ‘facelift’ it was so dated and tired. Needs to be bought into the 21st century.
TOSH, looks like Croyden.
If your originally from the mainland you should know the correct spelling of Croydon!
Really…..
There’s not many people left on the mainland that talk English.
You’re*
Looks nice. I assume it’s not going to be all white as in the pictures, would like to see further concept drawings with some colour.
Hope the toilets are free to use, and not these pay per use things that are pervading Sandown and Shanklin.
Suppose this detail will be left until the last minute.
All that is needed now are some trains.
Trains, buses and taxi’s will still come and go (most of them late). No real difference. Waste of money.
Boooorrringggg!!!
Looks really in keeping with the victorian seafront.Bet Historic England are so glad they gave a £460000 grant to improve the buildings along the seafront
My guess is they know something we don’t.
Who in 2022 arrives on the Island by Rail!
My guess is this is part of the re-set, going forward they do not want people to own vehicles due to the climate, hence more people will be travelling by Rail again, hence HS2 up North etc.
Well done. If you read the news then we will soon have the only station in the country with an operating ticket office
It looks very nice. – All that’s missing from the picture are the drunks and druggies that can usually be found there, lowering the tone.
Everyone has got to go somewhere.