Developers unveil new vision for town train station
The men given the task of rejuvenating Northampton have said the improvement of the town centre and demolition of the currently 'awful' Castle railway station will be key to the future success of the area.
Yorkshireman John Markham became chairman of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) at the beginning of 2009, while the group's chief executive, Peter Mawson, was appointed in July.
While they admit the global recession means they did not take over the reins of the development group at the best of times, they have said residents of the town must accept that progress is possible.
One of their flagship projects is the redevelopment of Northampton's Castle railway station and the creation of a series of offices and shops on land nearby.
Mr Mawson said the scheme was vital to the future of the town, but warned it would not be completed in the next couple of years.
He said: "The new station we want to see created will be a gateway to the town that the people can be really proud of.
"And while it won't be completed right away, if it wasn't for the groundwork we're doing now, the town would never get a new station. It would not happen in anyone's lifetime."
The Chron first revealed in 2004 that the WNDC was drawing up plans to expand the town's railway station and build a hotel, shops, offices and houses on land close to the track.
Since then, top level talks have been held with Network Rail to drive the project forward and it is hoped work on the first phase, which would see a new multi storey car park built at the station, could start soon.
But, while admitting the replacement of the station was vital, Mr Markham agreed the vision for the future of the area would not become a reality for a while.
He added: "The station at the moment is awful and the whole area around it needs regenerating."
Defending the WNDC from the criticism it often receives from residents, he also said much of the organisation's work was currently in the planning stages, meaning much of the actual building work would not be seen on the ground for a number of years.
He added: "My belief is that when the WNDC comes to the end of its time, people will say we made a difference.
"All of the work that's needed won't be completed in the next couple of years by any stretch, but I hope that we at least lay the foundations, so that whoever comes after us can take the town centre forward."
Mr Markham took over the top job at the WNDC from Saints boss Keith Barwell.
While he admits he did not know the town well before taking on the role, he said that over the past year he had grown very fond of it.
He said: "I've known Northampton for years, but I've not been a regular visitor. It was always somewhere I would visit occasionally.
"But I think it's a lovely place. I actually say to people who have lived here a long time, ‘you shouldn't beat yourself up about it, it's a lovely town'.
He was backed by Mr Mawson, who argued the people of Northampton were often too ‘down' on the area.
He said: "I think there's a natural tendency for people here to beat themselves up a bit and be overly critical about what there is around here. I didn't know the town well before moving to the WNDC, but I have visited it over the years, and I think it's got enormous qualities and great opportunities."
And the group hopes to build on the town's potential by laying the foundations for improvements in the very centre of the town.
Mr Mawson said: "A successful town centre is critical to the vibrancy and wellbeing of Northampton. I think everybody recognises that.
"That's why we're looking at ways to invest in the town centre and support it, because that will make a big difference.
"A strong and successful town centre is vital to the future of Northampton."
WNDC: ‘We're on right track'
By Wayne Bontoft
Chief Reporter
wayne.bontoft@northantsnews.co.uk
WNDC first drew up plans for the new railway station in Northampton in 2004. Chairman John Markham, right, says the current station is awful but admits the replacement is some time away
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