Kiss me in the morning

22/02/1999

The extensively refurbished forecourt at Kingston Station now features a 'Kiss & Ride' facility designed to provide parking space for drivers who are dropping off/picking up rail passengers – with just enough time for a quick goodbye/hello kiss. The time-limited stopping parking area is perfect for anyone who hates long goodbyes!

The new facility is one of a number of environmental measures being introduced as part of the major forecourt refurbishment at Kingston Station. When it re-opens on Friday 26th February, after a year of refurbishment works, the forecourt will also provide:

• A taxi rank

• Secure storage for bicycles

• Parking for motorcycles

• Parking places for 'Orange Badge' holders (limited to 30 minutes) and the

• Kiss & Ride' setting down/picking up facility

The improvements at Kingston Station form part of a much wider transport initiative co-ordinated by SWELTRAC (South & West London Transport Conference) to encourage greater use of public transport in the region. Kingston Council is an active member of the partnership, which is led by the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames. The partnership was established in 1994 to improve strategic bus and rail orbital movement and reduce car dependency.

SWELTRAC's aim is to develop a sustainable transport policy for the region, which encourages greater use of environmentally friendly modes, such as cycling, walking and public transport, with car use constrained to journeys where no alternative is available.

• The improvements at Kingston Station follow on from initiatives at other congested town centre rail stations in the south west, including:

• Twickenham - improved bus and cycle access

• Wimbledon - forecourt improvements, bus priority signalling

• Hounslow - improved travel information/pedestrian signage, and precede £5m worth of improvements to the Feltham Station Interchange and introduction of the Heathrow Bus Shuttle, due for completion in April 1999.