RAIL users in Trowbridge could soon be starting their journey in style as the train station gets a much-needed revamp.

First Great Western has confirmed it plans to plough £180,000 into a major refurbishment of the station, with the support of Wiltshire County Council.

In a letter to the council, a spokesman for the train operator said: "Trowbridge is easily the busiest station between Bath and Southampton. It features high on our station investment list."

The refurbishment plans are to include much-needed public toilets.

The town council has been pushing for new public toilets in the town since the toilet block in Wicker Hill was closed down five years ago and has been calling for them to be at the station.

The only public toilets in Trowbridge are in the town park and in the town's shopping centres at Castle Place and The Shires.

The planned renovation of the station will include a taxi shelter, one new and one refurbished waiting shelter and better cycle storage facilities.

The car park is to be resurfaced, an automatic ticket machine provided and new help points and monitors installed.

Over half a million people used Trowbridge rail station last year. Plans to upgrade it have this week received a cautious welcome.

Jeff Osborn, town councillor and district council planning and development portfolio holder, said: "As one who has heard so many promises before, I now maintain an essential element of scepticism until new facilities are actually provided and in effective operation.

"Nonetheless everybody knows the station is enjoying increased usage and definitely merits upgrading."

First Great Western and the county council are hoping the project will compliment other works in the town planned under the umbrella of Transforming Trowbridge.

First Great Western has yet to confirm when the proposed work will take place and it has also not confirmed what future timetable changes may be in the pipeline for the services running from the station.