Ceremony marks official opening of new £1.5m Elstree & Borehamwood station

Guests gathered outside the station on Friday morning to officially open the extended and improved railway station.

The ceremony was also an opportunity to remember and Don O'Brien, the former stationmaster at Elstree & Borehamwood, who died last year aged 72.

The £1.5m project has seen the concourse at the station double in size and there are extra ticket gates and accessible toilets.

There is now a larger Nisa mini-supermarket and a new Costa Coffee will open soon.

The station has been significantly enhanced through the work of First Impressions and its chairman Bob Redman. Hollywood ‘stars in the pavement’ and giant murals celebrate the town’s screen heritage.

Mayor of Elstree & Borehamwood Cllr Simon Rubner and Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Alan Plancey were among the guests to speak.

Thameslink managing director Tom Moran with Cllr Plancey and Cllr Rubner. Credit: Peter Alvey

Cllr Rubner said: "We were in dire need of a new station as this is one of the busiest. The old building was shabby and gave a poor impression. It was overcrowded and commuters regularly queued on the platform to get out of the station.

"This modern designed station is more suited to the commuter. It was finished on time and is not only pleasant to use but also pleasant to look at."

Don's family were invited to speak too, and a close colleague Larry Heyman said a few words as well.

Don O'Brien's family, pictured, were special guests at the ceremony. Credit: Peter Alvey

A plaque remembering Don O'Brien. Credit: Peter Alvey

Mr Heyman said: "I had the pleasure of knowing Don. What he didn't know about rail tickets probably wasn't worth knowing.

"Don was an excellent team leader and highly respected by his colleagues. He was a truly wonderful man."

Don O'Brien, pictured, joined Elstree & Borehamwood station in 2000, but sadly died last year, aged 72.

A plaque honouring Don was presented to Don's family by station staff stalwarts Rachel James and colleague ‘Siggy’, before being put up inside the new concourse.