Work is underway to carry out improvements to upgrade five commuter stations, on the line from London to Southend under a multi-million pound investment programme.

The stations that will be upgraded through the £6m programme are:

• Chafford Hundred: Improvements include a new station canopy, platform widening and shelter. Work will start in January 2012 to be completed in June 2012.

• Chalkwell: Improvements include new cycle parking, booking hall redecoration including a new automatic door, refurbishment of the footbridge and a new shelter. Major works have started to be completed in March 2012.

• Laindon: New footbridge and two new lifts will be installed at the station. Works have started and will be completed in June 2012.

• Ockendon: Waiting room redecoration including opening up to the platform with an automatic door, lighting on footbridge, external refurbishment of station building and fitting in a new toilet block are among the improvements. Major works have started and will be completed in March 2012.

• Tilbury Town: Two new lifts will be attached to the existing footbridge and the derelict café will be replaced with a smarter public area. Major works have started and will be completed in May 2012.

Dave Ward, Network Rail route managing director, said: “This investment will make a big difference to passengers and is part of a wider effort to build a bigger, better railway. As well as providing a safe, punctual and reliable train service we must give passengers a better journey experience. These improvements will deliver safer and more modern stations with enhanced facilities for passengers.”

Julian Drury, from c2c, said: “These investment projects form part of the constant improvement programme we are committed to delivering for our customers at c2c stations in Essex and East London.“

In assessing which stations would most benefit from investment and improvements Network Rail used various criteria in considering how to improve station capacity, provide better customer information, improve safety, security and accessibility.

Improvements at Chafford Hundred, Chalkwell, Ockenden and being funded through the Department for Transport’s National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) while improvements at Laindon and Tilbury Town are being funded through the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme.