Potters Bar railway forecourt nominated for award

POTTERS Bar railway station’s forecourt has been recognised with a nomination for a prestigious transport award.

The facility, which was officially opened in December 2008, was put forward for the urban transport design award for schemes costing less than �1m at this year’s Transport Practitioners Meeting.

Although pipped at the post for the award, the forecourt project was praised by John Dales, a director at Urban Initiatives, which sponsors the award.

Mr Dales praised the scheme as a “value for money improvement” and a “how to do it benchmark for many other similar locations”.

Work on the forecourt, which began in August 2008, was funded by Hertfordshire County Council, the Department for Transport and Hertsmere Borough Council.

Cllr Stuart Pile, the county council’s executive member for highways and transport, said: “We are extremely pleased with the forecourt and the many benefits that it has brought to users.

“We would like to thank residents for their patience while the work was carried out and hope that the new layout will encourage more people to travel by bike, bus or foot in the future.”

Larry Heyman, integration and partnership manager for First Capital Connect, which manages Potters Bar railway station, said: “The old station forecourt was an eyesore with constant conflict between pedestrians, buses, taxis, delivery vehicles and private cars.

“We now have a well-lit, high quality bus interchange with clearly defined pedestrian walkways.

“It is no surprise that more and more people are choosing to travel by bus to and from Potters Bar station.”