Multi-storey station car park opens in New Year Luton s new multi-storey station car park, off Midland Road, will open on 10 January 2011, offering motorists a safer, more secure, convenient and user-friendly facility. The old Station Road surface car park will close at the same time, freeing up a vital area for a major regeneration of the station area. The new car park has been paid for with funding secured by Luton Borough Council, built by Network Rail and will be operated by First Capital Connect. First Capital Connect Customer Services Director Michelle Smart said: The new multi-storey will be much more convenient for passengers. It will be fully lit, fully accessible and covered by CCTV that is monitored from our control centre which motorists can speak to 24/7 via the additional help points that have been installed. The car park uses the latest technology, and three wind turbines will provide 10 per cent of its electricity. All we need to do now is ensure people get the message: from 10 January, Station Road car park will be closed, so please use the new multi-storey. Car park season ticket holders will find the barriers open automatically for them thanks to an automatic number plate recognition system, while for casual users there will be two pay points positioned conveniently at the pedestrian entrance off the new footbridge. The new Luton Station Car Park off Midland Road will feature: More spaces 729 compared to 436 in Station Road Better, closer links to the station via an entrance on to the new High Town footbridge Lifts to all levels 19 disabled and seven parent and toddler family-friendly parking bays, by the entrance
136 CCTV cameras and seven help points, linked directly to the First Capital Connect central control centre and monitored 24 hours a day Staff on patrol in the morning and evening peaks Regeneration The car park is a key part of a wider regeneration of the Station Quarter. The High Town footbridge, from Midland Road to the station, has already been replaced and early in 2011 Luton Borough Council will replace the station footbridge to Bute Street with a new ground-level footway. This is part of the first phase of creating a new public Station Square. A new bus interchange will then follow on land freed up by the closure of the Station Road car park, together with the Luton Dunstable Busway, in late 2012. Cllr Roy Davis, the Council s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: The Council and its partners are delighted to have been able to bring this major project to fruition. Regeneration of the Station Quarter is one of the key priorities for Luton and this smart, modern car park will dramatically improve the travelling experience for rail passengers. Its clever design also allows for completion of the Town Centre Transport Scheme s inner ring road in the future. Meanwhile Network Rail has finished lengthening Thameslink route platforms at Luton railway station, with the first longer 12-carriage trains due to enter service in December 2011. Network Rail is also currently exploring funding options for an improved railway station, incorporating a new disability-access platform bridge. Fiona Taylor, Network Rail route director, said: The improvements being made in and around Luton station will make travelling by train an easier, more attractive option for commuters, shoppers and leisure travellers. As the first phase of the Thameslink upgrade nears completion, we will continue to explore options for further improvements at Luton to make the station lighter, brighter and more accessible for everyone. ends
Notes to editors 1. The new car park has been paid for with funding secured by Luton Borough Council and built by Network Rail. It will be operated by First Capital Connect, which manages Luton National Rail station. 2. All spaces are numbered and each floor is colour-coded (stair core walls painted different colours) to assist in remembering where people have parked.
136 CCTV cameras and seven help points linked directly to the FCC central control centre manned 24/7 Staff on patrol in the morning and evening peaks Regeneration The car park is a key part of a wider regeneration of the Station Quarter. The High Town footbridge, from Midland Road to the station, has already been replaced and next year Luton Borough Council will replace the station footbridge to Bute Street with a new ground-level footway. This is part of the first phase of creating a new public Station Square. A new bus interchange will then follow on land freed up by the closure of the Station Road car park, together with the Luton Dunstable Busway, in 2012. Cllr Roy Davis, the Council s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: The Council and its partners are delighted to have been able to bring this major project to fruition. Regeneration of the Station Quarter is one of the key priorities for Luton and this smart, modern car park will dramatically improve the travelling experience for rail passengers. Its clever design also allows for completion of the Town Centre Transport Scheme s inner ring road in the future. Meanwhile Network Rail has finished lengthening Thameslink route platforms at Luton railway station, with the first longer 12-carriage trains due to enter service in December 2011. Network Rail is also currently exploring funding options for an improved railway station, incorporating a new disability-access platform bridge. Fiona Taylor, Network Rail route director, said: The improvements being made in and around Luton station will make travelling by train an easier, more attractive option for commuters, shoppers and leisure travellers. As the first phase of the Thameslink upgrade nears completion, we will continue to explore options for further improvements at Luton to make the station lighter, brighter and more accessible for everyone. ends
Notes to editors 3. The new car park has been paid for by Luton Borough Council and built by Network Rail. It will be operated by First Capital Connect, which manages Luton National Rail station. 4. All spaces are numbered and each floor is colour coded (stair core walls painted different colours) to assist in remembering where people have parked.