Railway stations are at the focus of multi-million pound funding to improve passengers’ experience.

A £50 million fund for improvements to ten key railway stations in England has been launched, aimed at improving the experience of passengers and encouraging more people to use trains.

The Stations Champions Report, an independent look at the state of railway facilities, identified a number of stations which were in need of improvement as it looked at the minimum levels that should be set at stations.

Transport Secretary, Andrew Adonis, who has launched the initiative said: “Train travel has improved a good deal in recent years, but more needs to be done to improve conditions and services for passengers at stations.

“I support the report’s recommendations of minimum standards for stations – classed by size – in terms of information, car and bike parking, facilities and environment. I intend to make these minimum standards a requirement in future rail franchise agreements with train operating companies.”

The ten stations prioritised in need of improvement are: Clapham Junction, Barking, Stockport, Manchester Victoria, Preston, Wigan North Western, Liverpool Central, Warrington Bank Quay, Crewe and Luton.

Stations Champion, Chris Green and Professor Sir Peter Hall, said: “Stations cannot be seen in isolation – they are part of the total journey experience.

“The last decade has seen the rail industry focus successfully on restoring reliability and investing in a record number of new trains. The next decade should build on this foundation to deliver the total journey experience – but to do this it will have to focus more on its stations.”

Last week Network Rail unveiled its £3.25 billion plans to improve stations across the country as part of a five-year programme of investment. It said that over 2,000 stations would benefit from the investment with improvements being made to aspects including lifts, stairways, toilets and lighting.

Robin Gisby, Operations and Customer Service Director for Network Rail, echoed the Transport Secretary’s sentiments: “Stations are the railway’s shop-front and they have been ignored for too long.

“Much is planned in this area over the coming years and we must invest wisely.”

A passenger consultation has been launched by the rail company to ask for their views on where they think the investment should be prioritised.