GAZETTE & HERALD: Transport Minister Tony McNulty was 25 minutes late arriving at Chippenham Station on Monday to officially open a £555,000 project designed to improve transport because his train was delayed.

But Mr McNulty said he did not mind as the hold-up was due to safety issues near Didcot.

The station project has provided a new transport interchange, featuring improved parking for disabled people, a taxi drop-off point, a set-down point for rail users arriving at the station by car, a sheltered waiting area, and extra parking for bicycles and motorbikes.

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 using the station benefit from dedicated walking and cycle routes and environmental improvements provide a more welcoming and smarter entrance.

Mr McNulty said the improvements showed off Chippenham's historic station "in all it's glory".

He said: "It's a blend of old and new. It has the greatest respect for Brunel but everything is up to date.

"This station has been the twinkle in Chippenham's eye for a long time and it's now exactly the type of warm, welcoming facility we want to get people on to public transport.

"Chippenham now has the station it most surely deserves."

Wiltshire County Council has contributed £200,000 to the project. The remainder of the funding was provided by the Strategic Rail Authority, First Great Western, and the Railway Heritage Trust.

"The Railway Heritage Trust also funded refurbishment of the historic drawing office on the site, which was used by engineering giant Isambard Kingdom Brunel during the creation of the Great Western Railway.

Mr McNulty said: "If we are to encourage people to use public transport, we need to see more projects like these being developed and delivered.

"Integrated bus and train services are fundamental to an efficient public transport system.

"Passengers using Chippenham station will really benefit from these projects and it's good to see so many organisations working together effectively."

Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Wiltshire County Council's cabinet member for highways, transport and economic development, said: "The aim of these improvements is to encourage more people to use public transport by making it easier to switch from one mode of transport to another for example, from bike or bus to train.

"Rail passengers also want to arrive to find comfortable and pleasant surroundings and to be able to find travel information quickly and easily."

Mark Heffernan, First Great Western's head of stations, said: "Along with our sister bus companies run by First, we're committed to making public transport more straightforward and accessible.

"The new forecourts and improvements to the station entrances will not only make rail travel easier and more pleasant, but will improve the look of the area for everyone in the two towns."