A Better Station's Arriving At Hatfield

14 October 2013, 15:53 | Updated: 14 October 2013, 15:58

Commuters using Hatfield Station it's all change ahead - as First Capital Connect, Network Rail and Hertfordshire County Council embark on an ambitious project to redevelop the entire station.

Today (Monday 14 Oct 2013) work starts on a new multi-storey car park (pictured) for Hatfield station.

It will be built on the site of the existing northern car park - see section below on alternative parking options. Its design reflects the vernacular of the surrounding buildings. It will hold 378 cars whereas the existing northern and southern car parks accommodate a total of just 198. Several charging points for electrical vehicles will be incorporated into the new car park.
 
The building will incorporate traditional brick arches and a mesh cladding which reflects the ornamental ironwork on the gates of neighbouring Hatfield House.
 
New station and shops
 
At the same time as the construction of the car park, the existing station will be extensively remodelled and expanded. A new entrance at the front of the station will be opened and two retail units will be created.
 
Like the car park, the station building will be finished in a manner that is sympathetic to the surrounding buildings. External features will include traditional brick walls, stone parapets and a sloping roof with grey clay tiles.
 
New footbridge and lifts
 
A replacement footbridge is being built with lifts to all three platforms. This will make using the station much easier for people with disabilities as well as passengers with buggies or heavy luggage. The lifts will come into operation in summer 2014.
 
More cycle spaces
 
As part of the redevelopment of the station, there will be more cycle parking spaces. New two-tier covered cycle racks are being planned that would provide spaces for up to 350 bikes. The whole area would be covered by CCTV.
 
Hertfordshire County Council will be improving safety by providing more cycle routes to improve access to the station and links to the National Cycle Network close by.
 
Improved bus and taxi interchange and highway improvements
 
In 2014 Hertford County Council will begin work to create a new bus and taxi interchange at the station. This will occupy the site currently occupied by the southern car park car park, replacing it with new bus stands and shelters and a taxi rank.
 
A new drop-off area will be built in front of the station, which will improve customer safety by keeping private cars, taxis and buses in separate areas of the station forecourt. Short stay spaces are to be provided in the new car park.
 
As part of the overall scheme it is intended that significant changes will be made to the A1000 to improve the public realm and reduce vehicle speeds.
 
The subway that currently links to Old Hatfield will be removed and pedestrian facilities will be provided as part of the signalled junctions that will help to manage traffic accessing the new bus interchange.
 
Alternative parking options
 
Work starts soon on a new multi-storey car park at Hatfield station. Once finished, this will provide many more places to park and create space for a new station forecourt and larger bus interchange.
 
Unfortunately it also means we have no option but to close the existing north car park where the multi-storey will be built, for 10 months from Monday, 14 October.
 
There will be a significant loss of parking at the station during the construction work and we are very sorry for the inconvenience this is likely to cause you. 
 
What can I do?
 
Passengers with current Hatfield car park season tickets can park at other stations on the First Capital Connect network – Welwyn North, Welham Green, Brookmans Park and Potters Bar and also at St Albans on the Thameslink route.
 
Where the car park tariff is higher, no extra charge will be made and where it is cheaper, refunds will be available. Email fcc.hatfieldproject@firstgroup.com  or call 0845 319 4240. Contact this email address as well in order to get a pass to park at the Victoria Street Car Park in St Albans.
 
Help me find the alternative car parks
 
These postcodes will help you find the following station car parks:

 •Welwyn North  AL6 0AS
 •Welham Green  AL9 7HF
 •Brookmans Park  AL9 7SS
 •Potters Bar  EN6 1AJ
 •St Albans, Victoria St  AL1 3NX
 
First Capital Connect does not have a car park in Welwyn Garden City but Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has a commuter car park in Osborn Way, immediately to the south of the station.
 
What about my rail ticket?
 
Any Hatfield car park season ticket holder who has held a monthly or longer rail season ticket since before 25 September will be able to use their rail season ticket from any of the above stations at no extra cost if the fare is higher.
 
Is the bus an option?
 
First Capital Connect is also offering any Hatfield rail season ticket holders the opportunity to try a week’s free bus travel within the Hatfield Plusbus area to and from the station from 13 October to 9 November inclusive with Arriva, Centrebus, Green Line, Roadrunner Buses, Sullivan Buses and Uno. Vouchers will be widely distributed throughout the station.
 
More information
 
For further information about the Hatfield station redevelopment visit firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/stations or telephone 0845 026 4700.