Passengers will benefit from a range of improvements at Twickenham station, to be delivered in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance has announced it will carry out the work at the station in time for the tournament in 2015.

As well as step-free access between the ticket office and platforms and there will also be improvements to the facilities, including new accessible toilets, improvements to the existing toilets, resurfaced platforms, new lighting and a new footbridge – to replace the existing concrete structure.

In addition, Platform 2 will have a greater area set aside for the public to help cope with the growing number of passengers who use the station during stadium events.

A total of £5.2m will be invested in Twickenham station using funding from the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, the government’s National Station Improvement Programme and a £1.6m contribution from the Greater London Authority via Richmond Council.

Sam McCarthy, commercial director for the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said: “Twickenham is used by more than five million passengers every year and these much-needed improvements will help the station cope with this ever-increasing number of commuters and visitors passing through Twickenham.

“The station will be improved in time for the Rugby World Cup and will help create a better first impression for fans as they make their way to the stadium. There will also be longer-term benefits for passengers and commuters who use the station every day and those who will attend future sporting and social events at Twickenham.

“It has been a lengthy process to get to this stage and we have worked closely with Richmond Council to deliver these benefits. We will continue to consider further ways to improve the station as part of our ongoing commitment to deliver a better railway for our passengers.”

Other benefits that will be delivered as part of the investment include repainting the footbridge that links Mary’s Terrace to Cole Park Road, and refurbishing the canopies over the platforms.

Work is due to start on site in May 2014 and be completed by May 2015.

The Solum scheme designed to deliver a new station and improved public realm will commence after the world cup.