Create a plaza in front of Surbiton Station

Create an innovative and exciting pedestrian plaza in front of Surbiton Station. The vision for the plaza will be for pedestrians and commuters to have a space to enjoy and relax and become a focal point for the centre of Surbiton. The style and finish of the plaza needs to blend with the art deco architectural style of the station.

• Create a flat round area immediately outside the station
• Retain the existing slopes either side of this central area
• The central area will be bounded by railings at the sides and then steps at the front
• Integrate a series of art deco-style lanterns and column lights that illuminate the area in warm hues, enhancing the ambiance at night.
• Consider a shallow reflecting pool or water feature with linear, symmetrical shapes that mimic art deco motifs. The water could be lit from below for a captivating nighttime effect, with subtle jets creating movement without excessive noise.
• Include curved benches, styled in a way that reflects the art deco aesthetic (e.g., using metal with geometric cut-outs). Install stone-paved walkways, and subtle brass or chrome railings, echoing the station’s historical design.
• Integrate low-level LED lighting below the benches and with built-in wireless charging points.
• Use subtle LED strips along the pathways to highlight walking routes. These could be integrated into the ground, adding safety without disrupting the visual style. All lighting should complement the existing lighting of the station
• Plant trees or low-maintenance planters, with art deco-inspired edges, within or around the space to enhance it.
• Allow tables and chairs in the area to be used by nearby coffee shops/cafes.
• Include other exciting and innovative features in the pedestrian area for the benefit of pedestrians and to attract residents and business to Surbiton, e.g. art/sculpture installations by local artists
• Ensure the space is fully accessible, with gentle ramps, wide pathways, and smooth transitions.
• Include covers over the seating areas for the summer months and rainy days, perhaps using pergolas with art deco-styled designs. These could also be equipped with climbing plants for natural cooling.

Challenges

Taxis will have to use the route alongside the rear of the block of shops. They can queue up along the existing taxi-way outside Specsavers and merely cross over the entrance road to this route and exit via the existing exit road.

A new taxi stand can be created next to this route, incorporating a rain shelter. Pedestrians can cross over the plaza and down the steps or alternatively walk down either slope at the sides.

The existing eight parking areas will need to removed and either relocated to the side by Sainsburys and the bicycle park area or alternatively re-established at the rear entrance to the station. Otherwise, you could allow drop-off only at the new taxi rank. Which would mean sharing this with the taxis.

The whole area slopes down away from the station towards the street. The new plaza will have to comprise a flat area outside the station and then steps leading down towards the taxi rank. The existing slopes either side (the pedestrian pavement on the left and the roadway on the right) can be retained.

The existing information board showing train routes and times will need to be re-positioned where it can be viewed by waiting passengers.

Benefits

Supports two of the objectives of the Surbiton Community Plan:

• Develop, promote and enhance the neighbourhood’s parks, streets and open spaces to encourage more outdoor-based activity.
• Identify and implement innovative local projects which benefit and attract residents and businesses into the local Surbiton area.

Builds on the 20/21 and 21/22 initiatives in the plan:

• Work with local communities to look at creating distinct community areas within our parks and open spaces, including supporting tree planting and the installation of seating areas and benches.
• Work with local stakeholders, including local residents and the Surbiton business community to create community spaces, generate new ideas, new opportunities, new entrepreneurs, as well as supporting existing ones. One example is making Surbiton Station more welcoming, particularly for residents arriving on foot or by bike.

• Continued partnership working with officers and residents to create unique outdoor spaces and innovative concepts for regeneration. This includes looking at tree planting and the installation of seating areas and benches, both in parks and in communal areas across the neighbourhood.

Supports the Kingston Air Quality Action Plan:

• To improve the environment of neighbourhoods
• Improve the walking and cycling infrastructure in line with the Healthy Streets approach to create new, safer, uninterrupted walking routes making it quicker and more pleasant to choose active travel

Supports the Kingston Council’s 2023-2027 Plan:

• Working with partners and communities to ensure the borough is greener and safer
• Ensure that the borough stays safe, well-maintained and resilient so individuals and communities can thrive and prosper

This plan will create a designated lane for taxis and ride-share drop-offs away from the central plaza to maintain a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

This proposal would transform the area from 90% taxi and car usage to 90% pedestrian usage.

It would significantly enhance the area in front of Surbiton station and become a main focal point for the whole town.