A contract has been announced for improvements to made to the approach and entrance to Stafford Railway Station.

The winning bidder for the contract was Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd, which successfully carried out a similar project at Carlisle Station and won against three other companies on the shortlist.

Stafford Borough Council said that it had received some ‘high quality submissions.’

Included among the work is refurbishment of the station concourse, provision of street furniture, an increase in disabled parking bays near to the station, resurfacing roads, and relocating a public short-stay car park.

The station is next to the town’s award-winning Victoria Park that was recently nationally recognised as one of the best open spaces in the UK.

The station approach refurbishment forms part of a wider improvement to Stafford town centre, with much of the money coming from the government’s Future High Street Fund.

Among the improvements is a £1 million upgrade of Market Square that is expected to be completed next month.

Stafford borough council will now be working with the contractor to set a starting date with completion planned for next Spring.

Councillor Ant Reid, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, said stepping outside the railway station was often the first impression visitors to the county town would experience.

“Once you exit the station you have the award-winning Victoria Park on the doorstep which underwent a £2.5m restoration a few years ago. That’s a fantastic advert for the town and why this latest project is very important for the area as first impressions really do count.”

“We were really pleased with the quality of the tenders that we received – there were some very high quality submissions – and now we look forward to working with Eric Wright Civil Engineering to undertake work to improve accessibility, and the landscape, on the approach to the station which will make it more inviting for visitors and people using the trains.”

“I am very pleased the work will particularly focus on people walking to and from the station – as well as the improvements for those with disabilities.”