Octavius Infrastructure came together with Great Western Railway (GWR), Alex McIntyre MP for Gloucester, Network Rail and stakeholders to officially unveil and open the refurbished pedestrian underpass at Gloucester Station, marking the completion of upgrades to the railway station.
The renovation of the station underpass, which previously featured a blind bend and was poorly light, has significantly improved safety and ease of access. The realigned underpass has been transformed with better end to end visibility, modern lighting, CCTV and step free access, providing a more secure area for all.
In addition to the underpass, the programme saw a raft of improvements made to the station forecourt, including better access for pedestrians and cyclists. The programme also included refurbishment works to the station car park which now offers additional spaces including disabled parking bays, as well as eight spaces with future provisions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. Further enhancements to the car park include a new sustainable drainage system, a dedicated bus route, a taxi rank, and designated passenger drop-off and pick-up points. These enhancements will provide safer, more accessible journeys and greater transport connectivity.
One element of the project was rerouting a 11,000 KV National Grid cable that runs through the underpass, providing backup power to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Through meticulous planning and innovative engineering solutions, including the underpinning the original subway walls to ensure structural stability for years to come. Octavius ensured the safe and efficient completion of this critical work on time without disruption to essential services.
Lawrence Houghton, Octavius Infrastructure Framework Director Rail said “ We are incredibly proud of the outstanding work delivered by our teams on the Gloucester Railway Station forecourt and underpass re-development project and the value it will bring to the local community. Despite facing incredibly challenging conditions, their dedication and commitment to excellence have resulted in a high-quality project that stands as a testament to their resilience and skill.
This project is yet another example of Octavius’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity across the railway network. By ensuring accessible and user-friendly facilities, we continue to support the ‘Access for All’ initiative, making our railway stations more welcoming and accommodating for everyone.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire project team for their hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Your efforts have truly made a difference.”
