Work begins on a £150 million project to improve Gatwick Airport Railway Station

The two-year project includes doubling the size of the station concourse, widening two platforms, adding five new lifts and eight new escalators.

Platform 7 is closed to enable construction of the new station concourse to begin, but other platforms have remained open.

It’s hoped the work will relieve overcrowding, improve accessibility and reduce delays for millions of passengers every year.

Paul Harwood, regional investment director for Network Rail, which is managing the scheme, said: “We’ve found innovative ways of progressing with our work during this pandemic, ensuring the continued safety of our contractors and at the same time hitting our important project milestones.”

The work is being carried out by Costain, and paid for by the Department for Transport and Govia Thameslink Railway. Gatwick Airport Ltd and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “I am pleased to see an important milestone reached on this project, which is testament to the hard work of all the teams involved who have come up with innovative ways of working in these challenging times.

“Once complete, the expanded, modern station will be an impressive gateway to Global Britain, improving accessibility and services for passengers.”