£5.4m Llandudno railway station revamp funds agreed

Work on the station, built in 1858, is due to start in the spring

Llandudno railway station is to undergo a £5.4m revamp after the Welsh Government agreed funding.

Work includes new shops and toilets, refurbished platforms and ticket areas, as well as an upgrade of the customer information system, and a new car park.

Conwy council leader Dilwyn Roberts said the renovations will create a "great first impression".

The work on the station is due to start in 2012 after the plans were unveiled earlier this year.

The station was built in 1858, and is used by about 270,000 passengers each year.

'Passenger demand'

It is intended that original Victorian structures of the station will be restored and reused.

Network Rail will start work on the detailed designs for the finished station, although concept designs were seen by the public at an event held at the resort's Venue Cymru earlier this year.

Funding approval has been agreed from the Welsh Government's National Station Improvement Programme, through the European Regional Development Fund.

"Building a modern, safe and sustainable transport system is essential for Wales," said Transport Minister Carl Sargeant.

Network Rail route director Mark Langman said the plans will "mark a huge improvement for Llandudno".

"It has seen a steady increase in passenger demand over the years and the proposed improvements will cater to this growth and encourage sustainable travel, whilst improving the environment and socio-economics of the town," he said.

The proposal has been jointly developed by Network Rail, Arriva, Conwy County Borough Council, and the Regional Transport Board (TAITH).