The Hythe Station has become run down and its disused station building has been heavily vandalised. The regeneration of East Colchester is well under way and with high density developments, transportation modal shift is essential if the already congested road infrastructure is not to be overburdened. To make the station more attractive to potential rail passengers, the approaches to the station and its on-platform facilities need to be radically improved, including providing better security to passengers. The proposals will provide for a transport interchange with better bus facilities and will help to encourage developers to invest in the area.

Project Scope

The project includes the demolition of the existing station building, the erection of passenger waiting shelters, cycle shelters and bus shelters, installation of seating and lighting, paving and landscaping, signage, fencing, real-time passenger information/timetable units and heritage panels.

Aims

To make the Hythe Station a safer, more attractive facility that will serve the growing community in this regeneration area and beyond and will encourage greater use of public transport to reduce the traffic congestion in this area. To enable National Express (East Anglia) to schedule trains on the direct London to Clacton route to stop at Hythe Station, thereby opening up the area to a wider catchment of incoming residents.

Outcomes

• A modern station providing a high quality environment.
• 470 sq.m. of paved and landscaped forecourt
• Increased number of London-Clacton trains using the station (currently two per day)
• Increased number of bus services, and frequency, routed to/by the station (currently only the 64/64A passes approximately every 10 minutes)
• Increased number of passengers using this station

Status

Funding for 2008/09 £600,000

Status as at 30 September 2008:

• Finalising design
• Tender preparations under way

• Level crossing order application under way.

Status as at 31 December 2008:

• Design finalised and construction materials agreed.
• Tender paperwork finalised
• Level crossing order no longer required.
• Planning applications being prepared.
• Estimated costs for old station demolition being sought.

Status as at 31 March 2009:

• Designs drawn up, planning permissions applied for, S278 applied for.
• Negotiations with Network Rail over demolition of station building concluded.
• Tender specification drawn up and advertised.
• Tenders returned and opened.

Status as at 30 June 2009:

• Platform extension now completed.
• 3 x 12 car trains morning and evening as well as hourly 8 car trains running to and from London Liverpool Street.
• Railway station building now demolished and materials which were recyclable were salvaged.
• Planning permission for development and change of use from Highways to Network Rail granted.
• Road closure orders approved.
• Signage to redirect traffice erected.
• S278 agreement signed and sealed.
• Works commenced on both Network Rail land behind demolished station and in Highway areas.
• New kerbing and fencing installed.

Status as at 30 September 2009:

• Highway now completed and reopened to public within timeframe.
• Forecourt to be completed.
• Electrics installed.

 Status as at 31 December 2009:

• Highway now completed and re-opened to public.
• Final phase hoardings now completed by contractor using poetry by Martin Newell and images by artist Dale Devereux Barker.