Station scoops another award

A Kent Highway Services-led partnership has won a prestigious national award for a series of major improvements at Ashford International that have benefited passengers and boosted bus use and cycling to get to the station.

The 'Integrated Transport Excellence' Award at the Rail Business Awards recognised the excellent partnership working at Ashford International that has resulted in significant benefits to travellers over the past 12-18 months.

These include upgrading the forecourt, and introducing new footpaths and cycleways, as well as substantial investment by Kent Highway Services and Stagecoach in the local bus services serving the station.

Other recent work at the station includes improvements to its layout and the ticket hall area.

The group, made up from Kent Highway Services, train company Southeastern, bus operator Stagecoach, Ashford's Future, Ashford Borough Council and sustainable transport group Sustrans, beat off competition from seven other contenders.

David Brazier, Kent County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, said: “This is a double for Ashford International station, coming hot on the heels of Ashford's 'Station of the Year' award at the Association of Train Operating Companies’ annual awards at the House of Commons a few weeks ago.

“I think this is a great accolade, an early feather in the cap for Kent's Integrated Transport Strategy and an excellent example of what can be achieved when everyone pulls together.”

The judges were particularly impressed by the work of Kent Highway Services and partners in engaging with customers through the National Rail Station Travel Plan initiative, including promotions, marketing and personalised Travel Planning to raise awareness of the sustainable travel options available to them.

Vince Lucas, Service Delivery Director, Southeastern, said: “For any public transport to work properly, it must truly be an integrated approach between everyone. Southeastern want to provide our passengers with the best possible service and that is not just about travelling at 140 mph on the new High Speed service, it is also about offering them a good bus connection or somewhere to park your bike.

"Public transport is an environmentally friendly way of travelling and the only way to encourage passengers to use it is to make it as easy and seamless as possible for passengers.

"This award is recognition of all the hard work put in by everyone and Southeastern are proud to have been able to implement this work at our station.”

The partnership’s work led to significant increases in the use of local bus services.

Phil Medlicott, Managing Director, Stagecoach in East Kent and East Sussex, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this award-winning partnership for Ashford.

"Following a £1 million investment in the local Ashford bus network, we have seen 20% passenger growth over the last 12 months.

"The success in encouraging people to switch to the bus and train, demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations work together to provide a quality public transport system that's easy to understand and use.”

The group also achieved their aim of boosting the number of rail passengers who begin their journey by cycling to the station.

David Young, Area Manager in Kent, Sustrans, said: “There is a great demand for getting to Ashford International station in a sustainable way and in most instances this will be quicker than taking the car."

The improvements are part of a programme of works, funded by Growth Area Funding from Ashford’s Future and carried out in partnership with Kent County Council and Southeastern, to revamp Ashford International’s entrance and forecourt to make it more welcoming for visitors and commuters alike.

Judith Armitt, Managing Director of Ashford’s Future, said: “We are delighted Ashford International has won another award for these excellent improvements. As the town and population grow, it is important we encourage people to use more sustainable modes of transport to reach the station.

“By increasing cycle parking at the station by 150% we have shown our commitment to making it easier for people to travel to the station by bike.”

Media release 0049/10
05/03/2010