The upgrade to Maidstone East station was officially opened yesterday in a small ceremony. The improvements will provide a much bigger and more spacious landscaped entrance, an attractive glass front and new facilities for passengers and staff.
The occasion was marked by a short ceremony with some special guests invited. These included representatives from Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council, South Eastern Railway and Allington Primary school.
The new layout was designed by BPR Architects, with the work completed by AECOM in conjunction with Network Rail and Geoffrey Osborne Ltd.
The work was commissioned as part of the National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP), with improvements consisting of re-modelling the existing Ticket Office, building with a new canopy extension and a new forecourt area.
Passengers will benefit from improved facilities including a waiting room, café and ticket office. The original works were estimated to cost £2.6 million with the final price expected to hit £5.2 million. The council are hoping that the improvements will be a key part of plans to regenerate the area around the station and create a gateway to the town.
