Moving Kingston station closer to the River Thames is among the ideas being mooted in yet more plans for future redevelopment of the town centre.

The borough is on track to become an “opportunity area” for development, potentially including thousands of new homes and jobs.

There are already more than 30 in the capital, designated by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

Council leader Kevin Davis said: “One of the options is to move the station further down towards Hampton Wick.

“Not a massive difference, but to have a completely different interchange there.

“This is partly the reason Boris is really keen to get involved.

“One of the issues we face is that the whole transport network, especially roads, is predicated on something that was designed 30 or 40 years ago.”

Two-way traffic could run behind the station in a significantly reworked road system, including a right turn from Richmond Road, Coun Davis added.

The future appearance of Tolworth Broadway is also up for debate, he said.

Opposition leader Councillor Liz Green said: “I am quite happy to have discussions about how we improve the flow of traffic and make the public realm a better place in Kingston town centre.”

Kingston station has long caused a problem for town planners. 

One of the town's major gateways, the station has been subject to numerous redevelopment proposals in the past, as previous council administrations have sought to enhance vistors' first impressions upon stepping off the train.

The latest suggestion was to create a plaza outside the front of the station as part of the forthcoming mini Holland scheme, with more space for cyclists and pedestrians and improving the link between station and town centre. 

Coun Green admitted that the immediate welcome to the town from the station could be better.

She added: “You find yourself confronted by three lanes of traffic moving at some speed.

“If you don’t know where you’re going it’s quite hard.”

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The proposed revamp of Kingston station according to the mini Holland scheme

Sir Edward Lister, deputy mayor for planning, said: “The mayor is keen to explore with Kingston Council the potential of creating an opportunity area in the borough that would deliver thousands of new homes and jobs and improve public transport accessibility.

“The Mayor views opportunity areas as integral to addressing London’s unprecedented population boom.”

A Network Rail spokesman said: "In general, we are more than happy to work with partners in local authorities on their plans, and the railway is a proven catalyst for development and regeneration.

"In terms of moving the station, if the council would like to get in touch and explain their plans at a strategic level we will be interested to hear their thoughts."

The blue-sky plan is one among many that have surfaced in recent weeks, including a wholesale revamp of the area around Eden Street, which would see pedestrianisation, new homes and a public square come to the town centre.

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