Tramway to reveal exciting plans for new Station at Seaton

In January 2015, the board of directors and shareholders of Modern Electric Tramways Ltd voted overwhelmingly to convert the 62 year old company and much-loved tourist attraction to charitable status, which will enable it to continue to preserve, protect and enhance access to both its own transport heritage and to the natural environment around it in posterity. In building on these objectives, it is now able to reveal future plans for an all new station on its existing site at Seaton at an exhibition open to all at Seaton Town Hall on Friday 8^th May.

The architects chosen for this project are experts in the cultural, heritage and tourist attraction sector creating inspired designs for world-class sites such as Snowdon Mountain Railway, The Gerald Durrell Visitor Centre Jersey, Prado Museum Extension, The Mercedes Benz Experience and current projects including Paramount London and Dreamland, Margate. Jenny Nunn, Chief Executive of Seaton Tramway, commented that: “This is such an exciting phase of the Tramway’s long history in Seaton and is the culmination of many years of work with EDDC and the various stakeholders in developing the masterplan for Seaton in which the Tramway has played an integral part. Our new station will replace the existing Edwardian-style ticket office built in 1996, which we have somewhat outgrown as visitor numbers have increased in recent years, and see a new contemporary design focussing on the amazing heritage we have the privilege to be guardians for, which will also offer the visitor a fun and unique experience when exploring the tramway and area around us as well as open up all sorts of other tourism opportunities.”

The Chair of Modern Electric Tramways, Bruce Warnes, said that “the new station represents the biggest capital investment ever made in the company’s history, and a massive vote of confidence in the local area. The tramway has attracted millions of visitors to Seaton over the years and we now wish to enhance that experience even more by providing a state-of-the-art tourist attraction fit for the 21^st century visitor.”

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see the Tramway’s development over its 45 year history in Seaton and how the new station plans will complement Seaton Jurassic and the other development around it, whilst maintaining the integrity of its transport & railway heritage but also meeting the challenges of a 21^st century tourist attraction. A planning application is due to be submitted shortly after the public exhibition, and if granted, construction of the new station will start in earnest in November ready for its grand opening in Spring 2016. Representatives from Seaton Tramway and Ray Hole Architects will be on hand at Seaton Town Hall on 8^th May from 12.00 to 4pm to discuss any matter relating to the plans. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

For further information please call Seaton Tramway on 01297 20375, or e-mail: [email protected].