IMPROVEMENTS to Trowbridge Train Station worth almost £1million were officially unveiled by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Claire Perry today (Sept 18).

The new facilities include new ticket vending machines, new passenger shelters and benches, an extension to the bike parking facilities, improved station car park and CCTV.

Railway users can also benefit from easier pedestrian access with handrails on the footbridge and an upgrade of the steps and ramp to Platform One, while there are now additional car parking spaces and improved lighting.

Mrs Perry, who is Rail Minister and MP for Devizes, said: “We’re investing record amounts in Britain’s railways and a vital part of our plan for passengers is improving station facilities and accessibility.

“The enhancements at Trowbridge station are going to make journeys better for all customers. They are significant improvements that provide the local community and businesses with a station fit for the 21st century.”

The project has been funded by Local Sustainable Transport Funding (LSTF), National Station Improvement Programme and Access for All minor works in a partnership between Wiltshire Council and First Great Western.

Nick Reid, Trowbridge Station manager, said: “It’s fantastic to have the new facilities and we have worked closely with the council and listened to what the customers have asked for to make the station work best for them.

“One of the things that customers wanted was better waiting areas, which we have provided with new shelters and more space, while the cycle shelters will encourage more people to cycle down to the station and increase sustainable transport.

“The car park has also been redesigned and we have more CCTV coverage and better lighting to increase the safety aspect of the station in the evening.

“There will also be massive benefits from the new ticket machines, which will allow rail users to buy tickets in the evenings when the ticket office is shut or during busy holiday periods.”

The station is supported by the Heart of Wessex Community Rail Partnership, who have cleared vegetation at the station ahead of the opening and are caring for the station gardens.

The group is led by Catherine Philips and jointly funded by First Great Western, South Somerset, Wiltshire and Somerset Councils.

Horace Prickett, portfolio holder for transport at Wiltshire Council said: “I am delighted with the new, improved service here in Trowbridge.

“This, along with the success of the TransWilts train service will really boost the use of the station, and make it much more comfortable for people who use it.

"It is anticipated that this will be the first step in the transformation of the TransWilts Swindon to Westbury line with the next step having the service extended to Salisbury and possibly to Southampton Airport, to give real connectivity to Trowbridge, Wiltshire’s county town.”

Wiltshire’s LSTF funding for Trowbridge is part of a larger bid that included the new rail services from Chippenham to Westbury – these TransWilts services are supported by the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership who were also present on the day.

The new services have been running for 18 months, with an extra six services a day, operated by a single carriage unit. They have already been a success, with far greater take up than expected.