RAIL users are being advised to allow more time for their journeys as work begins on a £1.7m refurbishment to Longbridge Train Station.

Passengers will benefit from upgraded facilities, including a larger concourse area complete with new flooring, facade automatic doors and ventilation system, an accessible toilet, ticket counter and a new-look station frontage.

The existing station rooms will be demolished, with the roof covering and glass replaced to allow a new over sailing canopy to be installed.

The project, which is being delivered by Network Rail, is due to be completed in spring 2019.

Mitzi Latham, station manager at Longbridge, said: "There’s been significant development around Longbridge town centre in recent years and we look forward to the investment now being made in the station.

“Longbridge will remain open throughout the works, but we would advise customers to plan ahead and allow more time for their journey over the next few months.

“When complete, the newly refurbished concourse and entrance area will be more welcoming and will improve the overall experience for all our customers.”

The work is part of the £70m National Stations Improvement Programme which is helping to transform stations across the country.

Harpreet Singh Moore, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “This investment, funded by Birmingham City Council, will significantly improve the experience for passengers.

"Thanks to careful planning with our colleagues at West Midlands Railway there will be minimal disruption to passengers while we carry out this essential upgrade.”

Network Rail says it is currently investigating options for further investment at the station to improve facilities at platform level.