The renovation project involved installation of new canopies over the platforms and station’s main entrance. The station features a glass screen wall, which is likely to cut draughts on the station concourse. The glass will also bathe the interior with natural light.
The project has also added new ticket barriers, two new buildings which serve as an information point and a new ticket office. Additional work involved cleaning and ecoblasting of the station frontage. The station now features a larger concourse and is more accessible. The platforms have also been improved and feature modern fittings, which is in sync with the contemporary environment of the station.
Funding for the project came from Network Rail, the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Stations Improvement Programme.
This redevelopment is part of an Arriva Trains Wales’ programme of station projects involving designing and integrating new features and refurbishing existing buildings. The upgrading and redevelopment of the Arriva Wales estate is part of the nationwide NSIP programme. NSIP is a Department for Transport-backed scheme which is delivering £150 million ($233.1 million) of improvements at approximately 200 stations in England and Wales over the next few years.
Swansea station was built in 1850, originally of timber construction, and completely reconstructed in stone in 1932. It was originally known as Swansea High Street, until the city’s other mainline stations closed and it became the only one.
