Passengers will enjoy better access and facilities at Ely station as part of a multi-million pound investment by train operator Abellio Greater Anglia.

The rail firm is investing an additional £4 million in service improvements across its network in the next four months which brings the total invested by the company since it took over the franchise to £35.5 million.

Work at Ely station will improve accessibility arrangements including provision of an accessible ticket window and improved access to the waiting room and toilets on platforms two and three.

The additional investment will also see an extended programme of modifications to improve reliability for the Class 317 trains used on West Anglia services to Cambridge, Hertford East, Harlow, and Bishops and the Class 321 trains used on services to Southend, Chelmsford, Witham, Braintree, Colchester, Clacton, Harwich and Ipswich

A refresh for 40 of the Class 321 electric trains used on services to Southend, Chelmsford, Witham, Braintree, Colchester, Clacton, Harwich and Ipswich, with new seat covers, better lighting and an enhanced deep cleaning programme will also be included.

Passengers should notice more freshness about carriages as the company is also introducing a more frequent ‘heavy clean’ programme for all trains.

Commenting on the new investment programme Abellio Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, Jamie Burles said: “We are pleased to confirm a further programme of customer-focused improvements with investment in a refresh for a significant number of the Class 321 trains, additional train reliability initiatives, more station upgrades and schemes to deliver better customer information. Despite a short franchise we have continued to invest above and beyond the commitments we agreed with the Department for Transport (DfT), constantly seeking to provide a better service for our customers. We will keep on investing and working to raise service standards throughout the remainder of our current franchise as well as making the case to Ministers and the DfT for investment in major upgrades in the next franchise.”