Full steam ahead for revitalised Kelmscott Station

21/11/2008

Public transport customers using Kelmscott Station are enjoying new facilities, thanks to a $12.9million refurbishment of the train and bus interchange acknowledged today by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport Bill Marmion.

Mr Marmion said the works ranged from raising the station platform to comply with disability access standards to construction of a new station canopy, designed to better protect customers from the elements.

“The final result is a fantastic facility, giving Kelmscott residents a transit hall reminiscent of the traditional grand train stations seen across Europe,” he said.

“This is the first stage of a broader Armadale Redevelopment Authority plan to transform Kelmscott into an attractive retail and commercial centre focused around a vital town centre.”

Mr Marmion said the Kelmscott redevelopment posed significant challenges to the PTA and its contractor Doric, with the works having to be carefully staged to keep the station operational while minimising disturbance to the public and passengers.

PTA chief executive officer Reece Waldock thanked everyone involved in the project and the station’s customers.

“If we had closed the station to complete the job, it would have reduced the 13-month program considerably, but inconveniencing passengers wasn’t an option,” Mr Waldock said.

“We thank our customers and local residents who endured multiple car park changes, changes of entry and general disruptions and hope they enjoy the new station.”

The redevelopment, part of the PTA’s Building Better Stations program, includes:

•       raising the level of platforms to comply with disability access standards
•       improving car parking facilities and increasing the number of car bays by 19
•       reversing the direction of buses to improve traffic management on Railway Avenue
•       upgrading electrical and communication infrastructure
•       a new curved station structure to better protect customers from weather
•       access compliant paving
•       new toilets
•       improved lighting and CCTV security
•       a new transit officer booth and security infrastructure
•       additional bus bays and new pedestrian and shared paths around the station 
•       new drop-off shelters and public art.

Kelmscott Town Centre project partners include the Armadale Redevelopment Authority (ARA), City of Armadale, the PTA and Main Roads WA. The architects were Rob Anson Architect (concept) and MPS Architects (detailed design and construction).

Future works, which will be led by the ARA, include a new pedestrian plaza linking the train station to Albany Highway, the extension of Gilwell Avenue, a new grade separated rail crossing at Davis Road and the addition of more station parking bays.