CUSTOMERS have been able to pay their train fares at a new ticket office at Taunton Station for the first time today.

The development is a significant milestone in the multi-million pound station regeneration project.

Other improvements will include a new station entrance and forecourt with additional bike spaces and a new multi-storey car park.

There will also be an improved bus and taxi interchange, along with easier access to the town centre and Firepool as train passenger numbers are set to double over the next 10 years.

A temporary replacement car park is being provided on the opposite side of the station as part of the phased construction process.

Great Western Railway is working with Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Somerset County Council and Somerset West and Taunton Council to deliver the scheme to help support the town’s economic development plans.

GWR regional development manager Matt Barnes said: "Taunton Station is a key gateway to the town and with the overall investment in the rail network – including Intercity Express Trains that have already increased capacity by almost 25 per cent than the trains they have replaced - we are expecting passenger numbers to increase significantly over the next decade.

“It has been a long-held ambition to deliver these improvements for customers, so that they have better facilities on the forecourt, better interchange, and a lovely new ticket hall and station entrance which will link up better with the town centre - and of course a much larger car park and new access to the road network.”

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, who toured the station last week, Rebecca said: “Achieving the upgrade of Taunton Station was one of my key commitments on my election and it is absolutely tremendous to see this come to fruition.

"I’ve worked hard to secure Government and LEP funding for this project and to work closely with the dedicated team of stakeholders involved including GWR and Network Rail.

“This successful project sees the transformation of this Victorian station to a great mix of the latest contemporary facilities combined with astutely restored listed buildings.

"This station represents the gateway to the county town of Somerset and the wider South West.

"Along with the improved rail services this really will help us with our economic recovery and will benefit the environment by helpful reduce reliance on cars. It’s a welcome achievement.”

Paula Hewitt, lead director for economic and community infrastructure and director of commissioning at Somerset County Council, said: “This is a key project which will greatly improve the experience for everyone who travels into Somerset via Taunton Station.

"It is great news to see the new ticket office opened and we look forward to seeing the wider station improvements completed shortly.”

Dawn Adey, director of development and place at Somerset West and Taunton Council, said: “The completion of the new ticket office for Taunton Station marks another milestone in Taunton’s overall regeneration plans.

"The new facility will be a real asset to the town, providing a welcoming entrance for visitors and, in due course, will link directly through to Firepool, the River Tone, the cricket ground and town centre.”