Rochester train station relocation: Your thoughts

MEDWAY residents have been airing their views online about Network Rail's £26m plans to relocate Rochester station.

Some believe there is no need to build a new station, yet others note benefits the move could have for Rochester's businesses.

Below is a selection of comments in response to our article about the proposal:

"Unbelievable. How can they justify spending £26m on a new station with the reason being so that its closer to the town centre?

"I live in the high street and think the current station is close enough, surely it would be more cost effective to refurb the existing station for a few million, then build a new one on the waste land opposite the Casinos nightclub, which is probably 1000 yards closer! Ridiculous.

"The current station is pretty awful, although a lot of money has been spent updating the monitors and installing ticket barriers (which are always open). It is not a great advert for Rochester, which I love, when you arrive. It would be good for money to be spent on the signalling etc, which seems to fail on a regular basis and a better service into the city which is currently pretty awful!"

kaz52

"It's good that the station will be more central to the City of Rochester, with the resulting benefits to residents and businesses."

Godfrey George of Baggins Book Bazaar, and member of the Rochester Association of Businesses

"I'll agree with Mr Baggins that the planned new location is surely more convenient for tourism - it's closer to the cathedral and the castle, and indeed to his emporium, although we're only talking the difference between a five minute walk and a ten minute walk.

"But as regards residents, I'm less convinced. It's a longer walk from most of the residential areas of Rochester (nearer to The Esplanade and St Margaret's Street, but further from the Delce, Maidstone Road, and Warren Wood areas where most people actually live). 

"What's more, the buses which serve these residential areas also pass the current Rochester station; they don't go anywhere very near the new site."

Andy E

"Hope they get rid of the car wash opposite first, what a **** first view of Rochester visitors can look forward to if not."

JoJo Lord, on Twitter

"As a newcomer to Rochester I was appalled by the state of the station, especially after hours when the quaint old ticket hall is closed. The 'welcome to historic Rochester' signs on the festering stairs seem sarcastic. Rochester is a great place and deserves much better. 

"The new location, so long as the building is well conceived, will provide a much better approach to the town whilst removing a current eyesore. Hopefully the viaduct itself will be opened out allowing the riverside and town to integrate.

"For those Rochester denizens who don't know how much a good station can enhance a fine town, search for image of my home, Huddersfield. Rochester should be so lucky!"

Andy Beck

"For such a big town the current station does not do it justice, plus it's hidden away, so a move would be good for the town."

Vietec Heating, on Twitter

"Looking at the bigger picture this investment can only be good for Rochester residents and businesses."

Fieldstaff Antiques, on Facebook

What do you think? Leave a comment below, or tweet us with your views. You can also email comments to Rochester@TheLocalPeople.co.uk.