Gloucester station’s southern car park is to close from Thursday (5 October) to facilitate work on the multi-million-pound station improvement project.

The station forecourt, car park and subway will be redeveloped and upgraded, and with work due to commence shortly, the car park will close to all traffic from Bruton Way and Metz Way.

Motorists will still be able to use the northern car park on Great Western Road, where the taxi rank and pick up and drop off points will also be located. Drivers may also wish to use any of the council’s pay-and-display car parks nearby.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to access the station via a segregated walkway which they can get to from Bruton Way.

Improvements to the subway include removing the ‘blind corner’, enabling step-free use, and better lighting and CCTV. The subway is closed during the work and will reopen next spring.

The project is jointly funded by GFirst LEP, GWR, Network Rail, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Council and the Department for Transport.

Rail passenger – including holders of Pay As You Go smartcards – may use the bridge through the station. The card ensures the best daily or weekly walk-on fare, calculated automatically, as well as allowing access through the station.

Ben Scott, GWR Station Manager for Gloucester, said: “Working together we have been able to build on the previous investment and pave the way for further improvements. This would not have happened without the combined efforts of local government, national government, the rail industry and the local enterprise partnership.

“This is a perfect example of how working collaboratively can support the communities we serve to thrive.”

Robin Basu, Network Rail’s project sponsor, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Gloucestershire County Council, Great Western Railway and other key partners to facilitate improvements to Gloucester station. This next stage of the multi-million-pound project builds on the ongoing work to improve accessibility at Gloucester station.

“Effective, accessible transport links are vital and we will continue to work with GWR and other partners to ensure Gloucester station is accessible and welcoming for everyone.”