UK Transport Minister Susan Kramer has officially opened the upgraded Folkestone West station in Kent, which is redesigned to offer comfort and convenience for passengers.
A total of £1.7m has been invested in the station to provide improvements such as a new waiting room and booking office, as well as an expanded car park with an additional 200 spaces.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The investment was provided by the UK Department for Transport and Network Rail through the National Stations Improvement Programme and the Station Commercial Project Fund.
Kramer said: "These improvements at Folkestone West will transform the passenger experience by providing greater comfort and convenience.
"As part of our long-term economic plan, we are committing £38bn over the next five years to improve and maintain the UK’s rail network, in order to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of passengers using the railways and the work at Folkestone West is a great example of this."
The station also has a new forecourt area with a customer drop-off point and a new ticket office, which is designed to meet accessibility requirements.
Additionally, the station features a new ticket vending machine and information monitors, an upgraded public address system, additional bike racks and an enhanced customer information system.
Southeastern managing director Charles Horton said: "At a time when rail passenger numbers are rocketing and we are expanding high-speed services through the station, this investment offers a welcome boost to Folkestone."
Image: Baroness Kramer aboard a high-speed train. Photo: courtesy of UK Department for Transport.
