ARCHITECTS have unveiled the new-look booking hall at Huddersfield’s historic railway station which was given the approval of Kirklees planners in June.
Above and Beyond Architecture, based at Folly Hall Mills, Folly Hall, was commissioned to come up with proposals to reduce crowding in the station hall.
First TransPennine Express, which holds the franchise for Huddersfield railway station, has proposed expanding the existing booking hall to include the area behind the ticket counter – currently a control room, server room and lost property store.
The company also wants to create an extra door to the left of the main entrance of the grade one listed frontage of the station.
Inside, a new door is planned between the booking hall and Platform 1.
First believes these changes will reduce bottlenecks forming at busy times.
First also wants to turn the redundant stable block on Platform 1 into a staff room and training room and build disabled toilets on Platform 1.
Above and Beyond has been engaged to draw up designs for the scheme for the listed building, which First wants to see completed in the first half of 2010.
Andrew Stoddart, of Above and Beyond, said the project required “particular care” as both the main station building and stable block were listed structures.
He said: “Our designs marry the modernisation of train travel within the original architecture.”
The scheme was given approval by Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield planning sub-committee in June – despite claims that the proposals “vandalised” the exterior view of the building and that there was no overcrowding problem.
The plans were sent to the government for final approval.
