Work is to commence this week on a £5.1m project to improve Llandudno Station in North Wales. Outline design work has already been completed for the planned refurbishment of the station which has benefited from a £3.5m Welsh Government investment including European Regional Development Fund structural funding, £1.5m from the Department for Transport’s National Stations Improvement Programme.

Taith, a legally constituted joint committee of the six north Wales county authorities for the purpose of developing and implementing actions and strategies for transport in north Wales, has contributed £1.4m towards the funding and the Railway Heritage Trust £150,000.

Detailed design work will now commence on the station enhancement which will include a new frontage, ticket office, improved bus facilities and customer information systems.

The Welsh Government Minister with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant, said: “The upgrade of Llandudno Station is the first in a number of station improvements that the Welsh Government is supporting as we strive to make rail travel more comfortable and attractive to the public.”

“In addition to providing a positive first impression for visitors to Llandudno this project will also provide a boost to the local economy as local employment will be used in the refurbishment of the station.”

Network Rail will deliver the scheme on behalf of the Welsh Government. Mark Langman, Network Rail’s Wales route managing director, said: “Tthis very important project to enhance Llandudno Station will regenerate and revitalise this area of the town, encouraging locals and visitors to use public transport through the provision of updated and enhanced facilities.

“We are looking forward to completing the project in 2014 and to handing over to Arriva Trains Wales and the local community a station of which they can be proud, as it will improve the gateway to the town and will bring huge benefits to the local economy.”

The other partners and key supporters of the scheme are the local train operator, Arriva Trains Wales (ATW), the station leaseholder, and Conwy County Borough Council.

Councillor Philip Evans, Cabinet Member, Conwy County Borough Council, said: “Once the improvements at the railway station are complete it will become a great asset to the town. It will create a positive first impression for visitors to Llandudno and I’m delighted that these long-standing plans are becoming a reality.”

Councillor Mike Priestley, Chair of TAITH, said: “TAITH is delighted to be working with partners to fund this important redevelopment project at Llandudno Station.

“We have supported some major station improvement projects in recent years, and to bring forward a project that improves the sustainable transport infrastructure in the centre of our largest resort town is a priority for us.

“Replacing the current poor quality station with a new facility that provides a much improved passenger experience and contributes to regenerating part of the town centre, highlights the importance of transport infrastructure in our communities.”

Andy Savage, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: “We are delighted to support this scheme, which is providing a much better facility for Llandudno, but making good use of the remaining heritage of the old station to do so.”

Ian Bullock, Customer Service Director for ATW, said: “This work will bring a great improvement to the station environment, and we, along with our passengers welcome this additional investment. We look forward to operating the new improved facilities and supporting the delivery of this project.”

The new station frontage will be in keeping with the Victorian architecture of the town and provide a more pleasant environment for station users. Together with an improved bus interchange facility, the enhanced station will become an integral part of Llandudno’s tourism and leisure economy.

The new facilities will include a new ticket office and retail outlet designed to meet the Department of Transport’s code for disabled people; the removal and upgrade of passenger toilets and an upgrade of the station’s concourse areas and customer information systems.

Doors, entrances and lighting will all be refurbished and new seating installed. The concourse area will feature a new glass curtain wall and there will be a new car parking area for up to 50 cars as well as car and taxi drop-off points.

A bus lay-by with two bus stops will be created at the front of the station and there will be additional bicycle storage facilities. Walkways to the station car park will also be improved.

The work will be delivered by Buckingham Group Contactors Ltd using Mott MacDonald as the designer. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2014.

The Welsh Minister for Local Government and Communities will be announcing a further programme of station improvements around Wales shortly.