Hungerford rail station set for regeneration

For many years dissatisfaction has been voiced over the area which is gateway to the town and to the North Wessex Downs.
Now, responding to popular demand to give the station and its surroundings a facelift, the town council has commissioned a brief outlining possible improvement projects.
As part of a six-week consultation period, a questionnaire has been prepared which is available in Hungerford Library, in the town hall tomorrow (Friday) and on the website www.hungerford.co.uk
In addition, an open workshop will be held next Wednesday, July 25, in the town hall at 7pm so residents can ask questions and have their say.
Meanwhile discussions will be held between all major participants including the town council, West Berkshire Council, Network Rail, land owners around the site and potential developers.
Among the options up for discussion are a sign stating: ‘Welcome to Hungerford: Heart of the North Wessex Downs,’ a rail station building, residential development on the Oakes sites and closure of the level crossing.
The development brief aims to provide a “clear concept of the potential for improvements to Hungerford Railway Station area, which is the subject of a number of competing pressures for development.”
It states: “It is hoped that West Berkshire Council who, as planning authority for the area, can seek to implement the recommendations, will adopt this brief. If it is not adopted it will still form part of the evidence for plan-making for the station.”
It summarises the vision for the station as:
* regenerating the station area to create an attractive gateway to the town and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
* acting as a catalyst for the redevelopment of sites surrounding the station
* creating a high quality transport interchange for Hungerford and its associated villages in West Berkshire and Wiltshire
Other proposals include a dedicated taxi rank for two vehicles, cycle parking and station building.
Deputy chairman of the town council’s highways and transport committee, Richard Hudson, said: “The station area has real potential to provide an attractive welcome to travellers and to visitors to our delightful town.
“The council will make every effort to act as a catalyst to bring the many involved parties together to develop a station precinct of which we can all be proud. I urge townsfolk during the next six weeks consultation period to seize the opportunities to give their own views of the brief.”