Barking and Dagenham Council has welcomed the announcement that Barking Railway Station will benefit from a new £50 million fund to improve station facilities.

Barking station has been named one of the ten stations in the country which most need a facelift, by an independent rail station champions report commissioned by the government.

Welcoming new funding which will improve facilities at Barking Station Council Leader Liam Smith said: "I am pleased the government recognises the importance of local stations to local communities and the need to improve facilities and services at stations for the paying passenger.

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"It is also welcome that the government have acted swiftly in response to criticisms by the Independent Stations Champions report on the state of facilities in stations, including Barking."

Cllr Smith met with Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis on Monday to discuss how additional investment from government will impact positively on passengers and staff who use the station every day.

"Traditionally our Borough has been London's poor relation when it comes to providing first class transport links," Cllr Smith continued.

"Given the disruption caused by engineering work on the District Line at weekends, axed bus routes and TFL's wavering over the DLR extension, it's good to have something positive to welcome which will benefit local transport links and ensure local people have a better travelling experience."

(GK/KMcA)