A SPRUCE-UP of one of Worcester’s train stations should only be the first stage of a wider push to improve rail passenger services, says the city’s MP.

Robin Walker welcomed the announcement of a £785,000 revamp of Foregate Street station in Worcester city centre, with the county council beginning a consultation on their proposed changes saying it looks “nice”.

The station is the busiest in Worcestershire, and the cash has come from the Government (£535,000) and the rail operator running the hub London Midland (£250,000).

But Mr Walker believes a wider ranging shake-up of the rail line’s capacity and “re-signalling” allowing more trains in and out of the station along the London mainline was “the key priority” for the city.

“Re-signalling is important; it’s key,” he said.

“It’s a good thing we have this funding to do the work on Foregate Street, but only within a context where we accept there is more to be done.

“I suggested during a meeting with Worcestershire County Council that as they go ahead with their consultation, what they have done looks nice but they need to look at the lighting, particularly on the side entrance [onto Foregate Street], as it’s a bit dodgy at the moment – not welcoming to passengers.”

Enhanced lighting and CCTV cover for the station has been included in the revamp proposal.

Mr Walker said that with London Midland running both the city’s rail stations, including Shrub Hill, and with its franchise up in 2015 he believes the operator has a good opportunity to set out its stall for investing in the line – including re-signalling – and winning backing from city rail users.

“These plans [for Fore-gate Street] look good for what they, but it isn’t necessarily doing everything that the city needs,” he said.

Mr Walker has also backed the demolition of the Elgar office block in front of the Victorian-era Shrub Hill rail station.

Although he admits tackling that problem and any possibility of redevelopment, or possibly even a compulsory purchase order and demolition, mean his aspiration of a clear view “to the magnificent station building” is some way off.

He again pledged support for a Worcester Parkway station in the Norton area, on the city’s outskirts, but with the caveat “at the end of the day, we need something to come up with the money.”