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Gatwick Airport station’s transformation has reached a key milestone after plans were submitted for the project as part of the government’s £300m congestion hotspot initiative.
Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, the Department for Transport, Gatwick Airport and Network Rail submitted a planning application for the station upgrade to Crawley Borough Council.
The new station designs will see the size of the station concourse doubled, two platforms widened and a new roof structure, as well as the installation of eight new escalators, five new lifts and four new stairways.
It is anticipated that construction on the project will begin in 2019 and complete in 2022.
The station has seen a 11.5m increase in passenger numbers over the past 20 years, with the new plans aiming to accommodate forecast growth until 2036.
Network Rail manager director for the South-east route John Halsall said: “The proposals will transform passenger experience, support airport growth and, along with other upgrades of the Brighton Main Line […] improve journeys and provide a boost to the local, regional and national economy.
“Our proposals for the station are still being developed in detail and the submission of the planning application is an important step forward in this process.”
In August Gatwick Airport announced plans for a £1.15bn investment in its facilities over the next five years, with £240m to be invested during 2017/18.
At the end of last year Bechtel was been selected as the delivery partner for a £180m expansion at the airport.