WORK on the new phase of transformations to the area to the north of Southampton Central Railway Station in a £5m project have begun.

As reported by the Daily Echo in November, the second phase of the Station Quarter project will see an events space and transport improvements created.

The first phase of the work has seen an artistic feature, called Canal Shore, installed along Blechynden Terrace.

During the second phase an “amphitheatre-style events space” wil lbe built outside Frobisher House.

A new bus interchange facility will also be built in Wyndham Place while there will be new lighting features and seating areas installed outside Wyndham Court.

The station’s northern forecourt will be pedestrianised with new seating and lighting added as well as sheltered cycle storage for 140 bicycles.

There will also be a new dropoff point built to cater for people with disabilities.

The project has been largely funded through £4.1m of Government regional growth fund money won by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, with another £350,000 ploughed in by the Department for Transport. The work is set to continue until next November, but plans to alter the junction outside Wyndham Place have been delayed until later in the project.

Contractors Balfour Beatty will be carrying out the work for the council.

A spokesman for the authority said: “every effort will be made to minimise disruption during this period and to complete the work as soon as possible without compromising the safety of the workforce or travelling public.”

The city council’s Cabinet member for environment and transport, Jacqui Rayment, said: “The first phase of works has made a huge difference to the space around the Station Quarter. It already looks very smart and welcoming.

“The planned improvements to the forecourt – with greater accessible and usable community elements in the wider area, as well as improvements to connections with the rest of the city in phase two – will be an excellent addition to this important city gateway.”