GAZETTE & HERALD:CHIPPENHAM'S railway station has won a major national award for a scheme to improve its facilities and appearance.

The station was a winner in the Station Excellence of the Year category in the HSBC Rail Business Awards in London on Monday.

Wiltshire County Council's director of environmental services, George Batten, and project partners from First Great Western jointly collected the award.

Mr Batten said: "I am delighted that we have been successful in these prestigious annual awards.

"The Chippenham station project has transformed the station's forecourt, providing a new transport interchange, as well as making the station more attractive and user-friendly for passengers."

The scheme has improved access to the station for all modes of transport, including buses, taxis, cyclists, cars and walkers.

The £555,000 project has provided a new transport interchange, featuring improved parking for disabled people, a taxi drop-off point, a set-down point for travellers arriving at the station by car, a sheltered waiting area and extra parking for bikes.

The ticket hall has been modernised, with a low counter for wheelchair users. Other improvements include better signs to local facilities and new passenger information systems.

Pedestrians and cyclists benefit from dedicated walking and cycle routes and environmental improvements provide a more welcoming and smarter entrance.

Transport minister Tony McNulty officially opened the new-look station last month.

The county council contributed £200,000 to the project. The remainder was provided by the Strategic Rail Authority, First Great Western and the Railway Heritage Trust.