The newly-transformed southern exit to Hampshire's busiest railway station has been opened after almost 18 months of work costing £5.5 million.

The revamped Southampton Central station is designed to make things easier for passengers changing from trains to other modes of transport.

It features a cruise-themed waiting lounge, enhanced taxi facilities including a new rank, a separate waiting area for up to ten vehicles, a bus shelter which includes both bus and train times, and a new mural celebrating Southampton's history.

The mural highlights the red and white of Southampton FC, the city's maritime history and the Bargate.

The project commenced in February 2023, in partnership between South Western Railway (SWR), Network Rail, and Southampton City Council with their highways partner, Balfour Beatty Living Places.

To celebrate this occasion, key members from both SWR and Southampton City Council hosted a special opening event on Thursday, July 25, showcasing the station’s improvements.

A new painting outside Southampton Central Station showcasing the city's history (Image: Matt Davey)

Speaking to the Echo, Lorna Fielker, leader of Southampton City Council, said: “The completed project has created a much nicer environment for people arriving in the city and that’s really important for us.

“I know myself when I’m visiting places the first experience is the train station, if I’m feeling good at the train station, I’m going to feel better about the journey. 

“We have so many people coming to visit Southampton, often for the first time, whether it’s cruise passengers or football supporters and they’ll get the best possible experience.”

A new waiting area for taxi's, buses, and visitors (Image: Matt Davey)

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Eamonn Keogh, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, added: “We want to ensure that our city’s gateways, offer the best welcome to visitors, so we can help deliver on our plans to become a destination city.

“I’m really impressed, all the facilities look great.”

A new taxi rank outside Southampton Central Station (Image: Matt Davey)

As the busiest station in Hampshire, managing 6.4 million passenger journeys a year in 2022/23, it is hoped the new facilities will significantly boost visitor numbers and support employment opportunities in tourism, retail, and hospitality, and contribute to the wider regeneration of the city and surrounding area.

Gaetana Wiseman, contract director at Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “As a Balfour Beatty team we’re incredibly proud to have completed these award-winning improvements in partnership with Southampton City Council and SWR as part of a programme of transformational improvements across the city centre.”

Neil Drury, engineering and infrastructure director of SWR added: “Southampton Central is a vitally important station on our network and this significant investment will improve its links to the port and the city’s commercial, leisure and residential areas.”