Ref. 75631-14 First Great Western MD Alison Forster, transport minister Tony McNulty, prospective parliamentary candidate Abbe Snelgrove, Julia Drown MP officially open the revamped Swindon StationTRANSPORT minister Tony McNulty caught the train to Swindon and was on time to mark the improvements to the railway station.

The MP was in town to formally open the station yesterday following the completion of a £9 million project.

The improvements, which have taken two years to complete, include disabled access to platform four, a new entrance to the station and changes to the forecourt.

The subway has been refurbished and steps taken to reduce the risk of flooding. In addition a new fire detection and alarm system has been installed

Mr McNulty, MP for Harrow East, said: "We want to make sure Swindon gets the station it deserves and this should be a boost to the town.

"We're constantly trying to improve all the infrastructure for transport.

"Anyone who comes here will notice that there has been significant improvement, not just on the entrance but with platform four as well.

"The improvements that have been made here are testament to all the investment from the Govern-ment.

"We're committed to providing a 21st century railway network and we're getting closer to that.

"There were years of under investment in the railways before us and we are putting that right."

Network Rail contributed £2.8 million to the Swindon project and a further £5.6 million came from the Strategic Rail Authority.

Train operator First Great Western donated £550,000 to the improvement project and Swindon Borough Council gave £100,000.

Julia Drown, Labour MP for South Swindon, was also on hand to mark the completion of the long-awaited work.

She said: "It's great to have the minister here to open the new forecourt. What I'm really delighted about is to have the disabled access for platform four. This is something I have been campaigning for for many years.

"We still need to improve the signage so that people know they can get to the platform much more easily."

Alison Forster, managing director of First Great Western, said: "What is so good is to see some major improvements for customers in service, access and integration with other forms of transport.

"What better combination can there be to improve the deal for the customer?"

The improvements mean pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit from a network of dedicated walking and cycle routes connecting to the station.

Gareth Bethell