Plans for London 2012 to be the best connected Games ever took an important step forward this week as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) signed an agreement with Network Rail to deliver key parts of the £104m scheme to upgrade Stratford Regional Station.

Stratford Regional Station will be a critical transport hub for thousands of spectators at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and for the legacy communities that will be created after 2012. Through building new platforms, subways, lifts and entrances the upgrade scheme will significantly enhance passenger capacity and create a station that is fully accessible during Games time and in legacy.

The ODA, which is fully funding and managing the £104m scheme, today signed an implementation agreement for Network Rail to deliver key parts of the project including:
* New lifts to all platforms making the station fully accessible for all
* Re-opening a disused subway to create additional access to platforms and make it easier to change between rail, tube and DLR services
* Widening of platforms to increase capacity

The agreement follows a visit to Stratford by Rail Minister Tom Harris MP who was given a tour of the station by project teams from Network Rail and the ODA to unveil the improvements the scheme will deliver.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said: “I was delighted to visit Stratford to learn about this project and all the planned improvements. The scheme will not only prepare Stratford for the Olympics but will also have major benefits for local passengers who will enjoy the increased capacity and accessibility of the upgraded station.”

ODA Director of Transport Hugh Sumner said: “An enhanced Stratford Regional Station is an important part of our transport plans for the Games and will help transform the Lower Lea Valley into one of the best connected areas in the capital. We are delighted to be joined by Network Rail to deliver key parts of this scheme which will help us create the best Games transport ever and leave the lasting legacy of world-class transport links for east London.”

Network Rail’s Janet Goodland said: “Network Rail is committed to deliver the vital transport improvements Stratford needs. The eyes of the world will be on London in 2012 and it is important that we can show them that we have a world-class transport infrastructure for the Olympics. This agreement with the ODA is a crucial step on the way.”

Stratford Regional Station is one of the busiest interchanges outside Central London with around 37,000 passengers traveling through the station during an average 3 hour morning peak period. The station upgrade scheme will significantly increase capacity during peak periods to accommodate growing demand including the additional 63,000 spectators expected to use the station during the 2012 Games.

Other improvements that will be delivered as part of the Stratford Regional Station upgrade includes a new station entrance at mezzanine level to improve the flow of passengers and a new westbound Central Line platform. Work is expected to start in August 2007 and be completed in 2010.