Gatwick Airport: Revamped station to open later this month

The station upgrade will see a new customer information system, ticket gates and a passenger assistance point

A multi-million pound redevelopment of Gatwick Airport railway station will open to customers on 21 November.

The £249m upgrade includes a new concourse, airport entrance and remodelled track that Network Rail said would ease congestion and improve train journey times.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper says Gatwick Airport station would become an "impressive gateway to the UK".

The revamp began in 2020 amid concerns that the station had become too busy.

Network Rail said that in 2019 over 21 million people used the hub - which was more than it was designed for.

The Department for Transport and Network Rail then announced the redevelopment.

Reliable service

Throughout the rebuild, Gatwick station remained open to passengers.

The revamp has seen a second, bigger concourse built above the station platforms, serving as a new entrance to the airport.

Network Rail said that the changes have doubled space for passengers and improved movement around the station.

Eight new escalators, five new lifts and four new stairways were also installed across the station, with some platforms being widened to reduce crowding.

Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer of Gatwick Airport, said that the rebuild would "dramatically improve the experience for our passengers".

Mr Pollard added that over 40% of passengers came to the airport by train and that they aimed for more passengers to use sustainable public transport in the future.