IRONICALLY the official opening of Swindon station's fourth platform was delayed by a few minutes and it started to rain.

But as train officials pointed out, Swindon station's new platform will ultimately reduce the level of delays and increase the number of trains passing through the station.

The new platform is part of an £8.4 million package of improvements designed to make the station more aesthetically pleasing and has been paid for in a joint partnership between the Strategic Rail Authority, Network Rail and First Great Western.

Although it opened for business last month Richard Bowker, chairman of the SRA, officially opened it yesterday a few minutes behind schedule. Since it opened on June 2, 60 trains have called at the platform daily.

As it started to drizzle Chris Kinchin-Smith, the managing director of First Great Weestern, said: "This is a flagship project to make the railway more reliable and punc- tual and worthy of Swindon, which is a great railway town and a thriving community."

It has been estimated that the new platform, part of which is covered with a silver football stand-style roof, will save an hour in daily delays.

And it was constructed in less than a year and within budget.

Mr Bowker said: "Around 12 to 18 months ago there was something of a project paralysis in the railway industry and it seemed impossible to get anything done.

"This demonstrates that the railway industry can actually make things happen and this is going to make a massive difference to the Great Western mainline."

Before Platform 4, which will serve passengers travelling on the London Padding-ton to Bristol and South Wales line, trains entering the station could only travel 20mph, but this will allow them to enter Swindon station at twice the speed.

Other improvements to the overall station include work on the shabby subway and the cleaning up of Platform 3.

The importance of the opening of a new platform was illustrated by the fact so many dignitaries from business and enterprise were present, including Simon Birch, Swindon Council's chief executive, Peter Andrews, chief executive of the New Swindon Company, Swindon mayor Derek Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) and former council leader and member of the rail passengers committee Kevin Small (Lab, Western).

Students Jenna Baker, 16 and James Donaldson, 18, both of Wroughton, were waiting for a train on the new platform. Ms Baker said: "It's really nice and about time because the station has been in need of improvement."

A retired Great Western Railway telephonist, Pat Chapman, 71, said: "This is lovely. If the railways improved to the extent where trains ran on time more people would travel and the fares would come down."