Castleford based building contractors, Strategic Team Group, has been appointed by Merseyrail, one of the most punctual and reliable train operators in the UK to complete a multi-million pound modernisation project at Ormskirk station in West Lancashire, to create a more comfortable and safer travel experience for passengers.

The upgrade project, which started this month and is due for completion in mid June, will see Strategic Team Group carry out full refurbishment and renovation of the market town's Grade II listed station building, including a new booking hall, waiting room, toilet facilities, ticket counters and new automatic doors. A new canopy will be installed to the platform plus external landscaping. Furthermore, increased CCTV coverage within the station will improve passenger safety.

The work is part of the Government's £150 million National Stations Improvement Programme and the Access For All Fund, to provide passengers with better facilities, with Ormskirk station receiving £635,000 of Department For Transport funding towards the total cost of the project.

Merseyrail managing director, Bart Schmeink, commented on the modernisation project:

Orsmkirk station has the potential to be a fantastic building, combining the best historical features with the most modern facilities for passengers. Having a modern railway station is important for the town; for many visitors it's their first experience of Ormskirk and for others it is part of their daily routine, therefore it needs to reflect the towns market heritage and vibrancy.

We are confident that Strategic Team Group will bring this building back to its former glory.

Strategic Team Group's business development director, Charles Tweed added:

"Modernising a station such as Ormskirk, with its historical status, is a particularly rewarding project as it will eventually provide a more attractive and welcoming gateway into the market town for a growing number of business and leisure passengers.

We hope that this project will continue to cement on our reputation as specialists in the rail sector."