Gatwick Airport’s station transformation remains on schedule

The next stage of Gatwick Airport’s £150 million station transformation is scheduled to begin due to innovative ways of working within COVID-19 social distancing safeguards.

The project’s aim is to relieve overcrowding, improve accessibility and reduce delays for millions of passengers every year.

When the upgraded station opens in 2023, there will be wider platforms and improved step-free access, five new lifts and eight new escalators. The development work will double the concourse area, which will make journeys from the train to the plane much easier.

Emma Rees, Head of Surface Transport, Gatwick Airport, said: “With the current unprecedented impact on travel due to COVID-19, it remains important to us to ensure that work continues on offering the public an improved service and experience in the future. We are confident that the aviation industry will recover as people start to travel again for business, for pleasure, to trade and to visit family and friends. This work will also offer a much-needed kickstart for the region’s economy.”

Gatwick Airport Ltd and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership are co-funding the project with £37 million and £10 million respectively.

Paul Harwood, Regional Investment Director for Network Rail, said: “We’ve found innovative ways of progressing with our work during this pandemic, ensuring the continued safety of our contractors and at the same time hitting our important project milestones. We have now finished diverting power cables and testing the places we’ll be piling for new foundations, and we’re on target to start our work on platform 7.”

Angie Doll, Managing Director of Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “During these difficult times for the country it is important that we continue to look to the future, preparing for a time when we will be supporting the regeneration of our region’s economy. Our rail services have a vital role to play at Gatwick and the new station will create a gateway we can be proud of into the UK.”