Work starts on £3.1m Aberystwyth railway station revamp

A new canopy will be built from a side entrance to the front of the station

Work on a £3.1m revamp of Aberystwyth railway station has begun.

As part of the project the station's buildings will be given a facelift, while a new canopy will be built from a side entrance to the street front.

The station layout will be also altered to create space for a larger waiting room the new customer toilets.

The improvement work is part of a £24m scheme to upgrade a number of stations in Wales which was announced in December last year.

Mark Langman, Network Rail's Wales route managing director, said: "The aim of the scheme is to revamp the station environment at Aberystwyth by making noticeable and lasting improvements for the benefit of passengers.

"Stations are the shop window for the railway and we hope the improvements will encourage even more people on to the trains.

"In the longer term, revitalising the station and improving the gateway to Aberystwyth may also act as a catalyst for even further regeneration in the area."

'Vital service'

Transport Minister Edwina Hart announced last December that £24m would be spent on improving Aberystwyth, Port Talbot Parkway, Rhyl, Pontypridd and Ystrad Mynach stations.

Mrs Hart said: "Trains are a vital service for many people to access jobs and services.

"We want to make our rail stations accessible to all and ensure a pleasant experience for passengers."

The work in Aberystwyth will continue until late 2014 and the station will remain open during construction.