Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed progress towards building a footbridge from Fratton Station and Fratton Park as funding has now been secured from three parties to undertake a feasibility study, bringing the project one step closer to reality.
The City MP has been regularly convening the Club, council, developer, Network Rail and the railway company to collaborate and find a solution to the problems identified with existing infrastructure at Fratton Station.
Mr Morgan has been urgently pressing for progress in light of the ongoing concerns over how busy Goldsmith Avenue can be for pedestrians, particularly on matchdays, and a desire to encourage fans to park and ride to games via train to reduce congestion on our city’s roads.
The MP confirmed funding has now been secured by three parties to undertake a feasibility study, bringing the project one step closer to reality.
In one of his latest interventions on the proposals, Mr Morgan brought together the Chief Executives of Portsmouth FC and Network Rail to agree a way forward on efforts to improve infrastructure links to Fratton Park.
The City MP and Chief Executive of Portsmouth FC, Andrew Cullen, made the case for the new footbridge to be built and raised Pompey fans safety concerns on their behalf, as well as the strong business case for the proposed bridge, and called on Network Rail to play their part in delivering the project.
Having agreed to support the project in kind, Network Rail is convening a meeting between Mr Morgan, officials at the Department for Transport, and Portsmouth FC.
The meeting will bring to the Department’s attention the existing safety concerns, as well as discuss potential funding streams for work following completion of the feasibility study.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
”I am delighted to announce that funding for the feasibility study has been secured, bringing us one step closer to improving infrastructure links from Fratton station to Fratton Park and to delivering the regeneration that the surrounding area deserves.
“With support at the highest level, we will now be meeting with government officials to explore future funding streams to make this project a reality.
“As we celebrate the success of Pompey this week on the pitch, there is no time better than the present for key decision makers to play their part in helping the Club fulfil its ambitions and to bring benefits to fans and to Portsmouth”
Mr Morgan has long supported the club with its idea of a pedestrian walkway direct from Fratton station to the Pompey Centre to ease congestion and will continue working with others to help unlock investment and improve pedestrian safety.
