Crawley News front page, March 10

New Three Bridges train depot could create up to 300 jobs

Monday, July 20, 2009, 14:00

AROUND 300 new jobs will be coming to the town as part of a £5.5 billion project.

A new train depot will soon be built in Three Bridges in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

Improved transport is being introduced by Network Rail, which will include more trains, more seats and better journeys for passengers.

The national train operator has had to choose two sites to hold its trains, one south and one north of Central London.

And the company has decided to build its south depot in Three Bridges.

Graham Goodwin, from Network Rail, said: "We are a very large organisation with a lot of land. There is a lot of activity going on at the moment.

"The reality is there are going to be some real opportunities in Three Bridges."

It is believed around 300 jobs will be coming to the area by 2011.

Mr Goodwin added: "These jobs will be varied, so it can apply to a lot of people. We will have jobs such as skilled, unskilled, depot workers, train drivers, cleaners and maintenance staff.

"We also have the construction phase so there may even be some construction jobs going."

Work is due to start in 2011, and Network Rail has said it should take 18 months to complete.

Detailed plans have been drawn up as the company will be introducing new trains which will be 50 per cent longer than its current fleet.

The Three Bridges depot will be built in order to deal with the influx of new trains coming in and out of the capital, and as a place for the trains to be kept when they are not in use.

There will be a new employee footbridge built over the depot.

Network Rail have also said there will be on-site parking for 90 vehicles and facilities for cyclists as well.

Access points will be from Williams Way from the west and Billinton Drive from the east.

Mr Goodwin said: "This a big new development, that is very important to us.

"It is very good news for the railway, and I think, for people in the area as well."

WHAT do you think of these plans? Join the debate at www.thisiscrawley.co.uk

Three Bridges Station

Three Bridges Station

 

   






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