THE NEW platform at Swindon train station has opened to a mixed response from passengers.

Trains have started arriving at Platform 4, which is on the Station Road side of the tracks.

The platform is the result of a multi-million pound joint venture between the Strategic Rail Authority, Network Rail formerly known as Railtrack and Swindon-based First Great Western.

It is claimed it will help alleviate bottlenecks on lines through the town as, before it was built, trains had to wait outside Swindon station in order to change lines.

But some commuters felt First Great Western would be better off making sure its existing trains ran on time before taking on expensive building work.

Billy Stephenson, 21, a technician from Swindon said: "The platform is clean and new, but I don't know how long it will stay that way.

"But I had to stand up all of the way here because I have a pushchair, so it would make my journey better if trains were more accommodating for families."

Marketing manager, Rogan Boon, 50, from Bristol, said: "The investment was needed but there should be more information about changes here, I have spent a lot of time darting round the station trying to find if my train was leaving from here.

"I find a lot of trains are dirty and things like that on top of delays means any sympathy you might have for the operators disappears."

The platform, which became operational from 2pm yesterday, will allow the number of trains passing between Swindon and London to rise to 70 a day.

At the moment only the toilets and waiting area are open, but by July a caf will be in place.

The platform features a large, airy waiting area and a wide staircase leading up to it.

Elaine Wilde, spokeswoman for First Great Western, said: "The new platform will bring huge advantages for people travelling to Bristol and South Wales.

"Next month the new caf will open, marking the completion of this exciting expansion to our services."

The next step in modernising the town's transport network started yesterday when work began on a £165,000 project to improve the route for pedestrians between the bus and train stations.

The footpath between Station Road and Milford Street will be widened and the walk between the two transport hubs will be painted brown.

The crossing at Station Road, where people must negotiate a series of humps and islands, will be upgraded with the addition of a pedestrian ramp across the forecourt of the station.