Larger than Trafalgar Square at 28,000 square metres, Station Square is a key gateway to Milton Keynes city centre and an architectural artifact in its own right.

MKDP is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of Station Square, which opened alongside the Central Station in 1982. The space had started to show its age; paving slabs and the sub-structure had deteriorated, creating maintenance costs of up to £350,000 per year.

MKDP took the decision to comprehensively resurface and refresh Station Square, transforming people’s experience of the space. As well as creating a stronger first impression, and minimising maintenance costs, the refresh has also provided new wayfinding opportunities to guide pedestrians towards the city centre.

Working with contractor Frosts Landscapes and landscape architect Planit, the project involved a full resurfacing, tree installation, biodiverse planting and renewal of existing lawns, plus the commissioning of Walk With Your Dreams, a large scale 2D installation from acclaimed British-Nigerian artist Yinka Illori MBE, to which Milton Keynes City Council contributed £85,000 of development funding. The whole project cost in the region of £2.2m.

The changes have been received positively by public, stakeholders and the media. Station Square radiates new dynamism, and immediately communicates that Milton Keynes is a thriving and diverse place, full of energy and bold ideas.