Copyright newsletter
The new train station will be able to accommodate 100 passengers in its waiting area, including seating for 50. There will be improved passenger facilities, including toilets, ticket sales, and a café, as well as enhanced staff facilities. Also on the cards is the construction of two platforms with sheltering canopy, and a pedestrian/cycle bridge linking the station building and platforms. There will be increased parking capacity, including a park & ride facility, to accommodate a total of 206 car-parking spaces, as opposed to 144 currently, alongside secure cycle parking for 20 cycles. Two new access junctions will be constructed to the south of the station at Brownlow Terrace, and public transport facilitated through a bus-turning circle with bus stands. Kenny Fitzgerald Architects, Belfast, were appointed by Translink to design the new facilities. A Planning, Design & Access Statement submitted along with the planning application, on October 3, emphasised the importance of the station as a valued facility in need of a major upgrade: “Lurgan Train Station, annually, is one of the busiest stations on the Translink network, serving nearly one million passengers. “Lurgan Train Station has been operational since 1841. In the 1980s, the original station building was destroyed by a paramilitary bomb, and subsequently the existing station building was erected. “The new station building will be of high-quality design, over two floors of accommodation, with an integral link bridge over the lines. “The new train station will comprise of covered up and down platforms, which will provide a positive addition to the facility which currently does not benefit from any shelter to existing platforms. “The station redevelopment aims to improve accessibility, convenience and connectivity for the residents of Lurgan and the surrounding areas. “The proposed building is of a high-quality design, which will enhance the contribution made by the station to the local streetscape of William Street and the surrounding areas. “A number of design principles for the development of the lands were established following an analysis of the site. “A key design principle for the development is to enhance the soft and hard landscaping across the site, which is currently dominated by tarmac and built development. “The planting is designed to create a high-quality landscape that will complement the surrounding area, and enhance the proposed development’s environment. “The proposed bus and taxi pick-up/ drop-off area will utilise the existing bus and taxi pick-up area, and additionally utilise the area currently occupied by visitor parking at Musgrave MarketPlace. “It is likely that the increased parking provision will relieve pressure on overflow on-street parking, and should therefore be welcomed by DfI Roads. As part of the proposed development, more disabled bays will be provided. “Residential amenity of the surrounding properties is protected through careful design, including acoustic barrier fencing. The site will be highly accessible by all members of society, including those with disabilities. “Translink are committed to meaningful pre-application consultation, and have engaged with key stakeholders throughout the application process, including hosting two public consultation events, with feedback from the local community taken on board. “The proposal will deliver a sustainable development of high architectural quality that will also have significant environmental, social and economic benefits for the town of Lurgan.” The plans are subject to formal statutory and planning approval, and funding availability. François Vincent, Local Democracy Reporter
