Alan Howarth, Network Rail’s project sponsor, said: “The changes we are making mean getting to platform 4 and the time spent on it will be a much more pleasurable part of the journey.

“Even so, I know some passengers will have concerns about their daily journeys once the work starts. This will be our opportunity to listen to them and provide the answers and information they are looking for.”

Work starts on Sunday 22 May when platform 4 will close for approximately five months.

Mr Howarth explained: “During the first couple of weeks our contractor Amco will be carrying out preparatory work such as ground surveys and analysing the results.

“When the work starts in earnest, the first thing we will concentrate on is the subway alterations, building the new lift shaft up to the platform and installing the lift.”

The second phase of the work will be to construct the canopy that will cover almost the entire length of the platform, and then fit out the seating, lighting, public address speakers, information screens and CCTV system.

The entire project is due to be completed before the next winter sets in, the project team had considered keeping the platform open throughout the work, but the cost of the work would have risen, meaning less canopy coverage than is now planned for the money available, and the work would have taken three times as long, lasting throughout the winter, thereby causing greater impact and disruption for passengers.