AN ‘international’ railway station has revealed its £1million refurbishment.
Harwich International train station in north-east Essex is technically international despite having no trains actually go to Europe from the station.
That’s because it is located near Harwich International Port, a major cruise and ferry terminal with a number of daily sailings to the Netherlands.
Through September, Greater Anglia carried out work on the roof of the station, as well as improving lighting, the staircases and station entrance areas.
The entire train station was also repainted.
Andrew Goodrum, from Greater Anglia, said: “These improvements make a significant difference to the overall passenger experience.
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“The station is now brighter, more modern and more welcoming, while our new energy-efficient lighting reduces our carbon footprint.”
Each year, over 100,000 journeys start or end at the station.
The station serves some local destinations such as Harwich Town and also travels to London Liverpool Street, where passengers can change and travel on to a number of other destinations including Norwich, Ipswich, Heathrow Airport and Stansted Airport.
A number of other ‘international’ stations in the UK are set to undergo upgrades.
For example, Stratford International Station may see services to Europe in the future for the first time ever.
Virgin Trains is looking to launch high-speed services through the Channel Tunnel in around 2030, competing with Eurostar.
As part of the operators’ plans, it is exploring the potential to use Stratford International to carry out these services.
Virgin Trains was given permission by the UK’s rail regulator (ORR) to use the Temple Mills depot in London – a crucial part of operating international services through the Channel Tunnel.
And they plan to connect London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International used to have international services until Eurostar suspended them in 2020.
Virgin Trains is also looking at how these stations could be used for international rail services.
Major improvements are planned for London St. Pancras as well, which is currently the only major station in the UK used for rail services to Europe.
By 2028, Eurostar wishes to double its capacity at the station, as well as improve security, border control and the main concourse in the station.
If these changes were carried out, then the hourly passenger throughput would rise from 2,000 to around 5,000.
The station is also looking to potentially move the arrivals flow to the upstairs parts of the station.
In other rail news, a world-famous English city is getting a new train station in huge £6.7billion plans.
Plus, the super modern train station in the UK that people say looks like it’s from Alien.
