English Heritage

The City Council secured funding from the Railway Heritage Trust (£108k) and English Heritage (£150k) to deliver a three year programme of works under PSiCA (Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas). This external funding has supplemented Chester City Council funding (£50k) and match funding from Cheshire County Council's Local Transport Plan (LTP) (£500k).

The PSiCA area encompasses the station buildings- The programme of works is broken down into the following phases:

• Year 1 The implementation of a grant aided architectural lighting scheme for the station frontage façade (see details below) and building repair and restoration to key buildings in Brook Street.
• Years 2 & 3 Station building repair and restoration, other building works in Brook Street and street works. 

Heritage Lottery Fund

The City Council are now developing the stage 2 application for funding to the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which is part of the Heritage Lottery Fund. If successful the application will provide £550k of THI funding, which combined with other partners funding will lead to a combined investment approaching £1.5million.

The programme of works could include repairs, restoration and enhancements to the exterior and interior of the station complex, works to repair and enhance the exteriors of identified key target buildings in Brook Street/City Road and public realm works.

Other Investment in the Area

Arriva Trains Wales are the train operating company from Chester station and a member of the Gateway Partnership. They are investing £1.25 million into improved customer facilities and Station concourse upgrade. The plans include more retail provision within the concourse, new ticket office and concourse materials. At this stage, the sketches and brief proposals are still being developed following the last round of public consultation in October.

Arriva are also progressing a 2 stage scheme for the introduction of Automatic Ticket Gates to the concourse and longer term phases of work yet to be worked up include looking at ground floor uses in the East Pavilion.

Network Rail is also investing in the improvement of the station. They are planning to invest £500k in frontage building stonework repairs and are committing £1.5 million for roofing works.

As part of an ongoing process, Network Rail has recently begun a cleaning and refurbishment scheme for the existing train shed roofs. Track cleaning and renewals at platforms 5-6 are also taking place.

Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board (CWTB) will be the first tenants into the station planning to take occupancy in July 06. The CWTB will occupy the first floor office space in the West Pavilion.

Architectural Lighting Scheme

An architectural lighting scheme is being installed which will enhance the façade of the train station. The work is expected to take 6 weeks and will be officially unveiled at the end of January 2007.

The £60k scheme will create a brighter environment, improve public safety after dark and highlight the architectural detail of an important grade II* listed building. The programme is being funded by English Heritage Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas and delivered by the Gateway Partnership which includes Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail, Chester City Council, Cheshire County Council, Railway Heritage Trust, Merseyrail, Merseytravel, Visit Chester & Cheshire, Virgin Trains and the North West Development Agency. The city council will take on responsibility for the long-term maintenance of the majority of the scheme, with Arriva Trains Wales maintaining the remainder.

Development Prospectus

Chester City Council recognises the need to encourage appropriate improvements throughout the station area and have produced a promotional document to help deliver this objective. The Development prospectus is aimed at highlighting potential opportunities in the area to existing landowners and tenants and to potential investors and developers. It has been compiled using existing knowledge and established development documents, particularly the Railway Lands Development brief and the Chester Rail Gateway Feasibility Study.

The quality of the environment in and around Chester Station is a key factor to the success of Chester as a visitor destination. First impressions are very important but the area has been, until recently falling into decline. The area could be greatly improved as an arrival and departure point and key Gateway for visitors. Substantial investment has been undertaken and more is planned by both the Public and Private sectors, yet there is still a great deal of further opportunity. The aim is to bring the area and its buildings up to the highest standard, befitting the City of Chester.

The Development Prospectus was part of a wide consultation last October and many comments were received about its content and thoughts about the regeneration of the area generally. These comments have fed into the production of the final document, which is now being promoted to a target audience of potential investors.

To view a copy of the final version of the Prospectus follow this link:

Station Quarter Development Prospectus - Final version - (1.3 MB)

Station Square Remodelling

Cheshire County Council have pledged £1.5 million to the station project to include the Station Square remodelling and a contribution to the regeneration of the station complex.

Progress on the design proposals for the Square to improve the image to visitors of the City as well as creating a better transport interchange are well underway. There were 5 design options worked up and presented at the last round of public consultation in October. Following on from this feedback, the design team have been working up a detailed design based broadly on option A.

To view the 5 options, go to the Chester Rail Gateway Project (external link) link at Cheshire CountyCouncil's website.

This detailed design is the subject of further consultation on Thursday 22nd June at The Queen Hotel (further details below). Any interested parties and individuals are invited to come along to view the proposals and give their feedback.

Property Owners

The City Council have facilitated the meetings of property owners in and around the station buildings, to disseminate ongoing activities and engender a spirit of enthusiasm for the overall project. There has been a high level of interest in the Project by property owners and the Gateway partners value this involvement and interest.

Public Consultation

The last public consultation exercise held in the Mill Hotel and then at the station concourse in October was well attended and a number of comments and feedback were received from interested parties and individuals. All feedback has been summarised and responses from the three organisations involved has been completed. Those that took part in the feedback have been given a unique reference number in order to find the responses to their comments.

Click here for the Table of Feedback & Responses. (167.9kb)

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