Passengers are set to benefit from a £20m transformation of St Albans station. Enhancements will include lifts to all platforms, an additional multi-storey car park, an improved bus interchange, more spaces for bicycles and more retail outlets. There will also be more spaces for people dropping off and picking up train passengers.

The project – funded through commercial development – will take 18 months to complete. The site of the existing Victoria Street car park will be the location of the new multi-storey car park with over 800 spaces – a big boost to current capacity. Associated highway improvements will aid access to the station.

Also on that 8.5 acre site will be over 350 flats – many of them affordable housing – in line with the government’s ‘Houses for the South East’ policy. In addition, a doctor’s surgery and a health and fitness club will be constructed. All this could provide a catalyst for economic growth in St Albans.

Work began on site on 8 January 2007 and disruption will be kept to minimum throughout. For drivers, the number of parking spaces will continue to exceed current maximum usage. The contractors for the project are Laing O’Rourke and Linden Homes.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail’s Route Director, London North East said: “St Albans is a busy station and the improvements will be welcomed by the growing number of passengers on this route. A world class station will emerge on the site, imaginatively funded through commercial development.”

Karen Boswell, Customer Services Director, First Capital Connect, said: “St Albans is our busiest station serving over five million customers annually. This 18-month project will result in a vastly improved station with a brand new secure multi-storey car park, extended retail area in the station building, lifts on all platforms and an improved bus interchange.”

Chris O’Sulivan, Major Projects Director, Linden Homes, said: “In its first phase the project will bring major improvements to this significant transport centre including the construction of the new multi-storey car park, a new access road and emergency access way, significant improvements to the bus interchange and an improved junction controlled by traffic lights at the Hatfield Road end of Station Way.“