A RAILWAY station has re-opened after works, which were part of a multi-million pound upgrade, have been completed.

Simon Fell, the MP for Barrow and Furness, visited Dalton railway station to chat to the construction workers, Network Rail staff, and local contractors carrying out the platform extension works at the station.

Platform two, which carries passengers from Ulverston through to Dalton and on to Barrow along the Furness line, has been extended to allow for trains with double the current capacity to operate from December.

Mr Fell said: “This is a hugely significant piece of work. Extending the platform means that extra capacity can be added to the Furness line from December.

“As part of an exciting few years ahead for Dalton, this is a huge capital project which is being delivered by Network Rail, along with local contractors such as HBP.

“The scheme is coming along nicely, to budget and on time. I’m looking forward to using the new platform from Monday.

“My thanks go to Jim, Megan, and Simon from Network Rail for hosting me, and for all of their incredible work and that of their colleagues in the successful delivery of this scheme.”

The works are part of a £84 million investment to improve rail services in the North West. The alteration raises the platform level so that the new six car trains in service from December permit passengers to board and alight from any of the doors on the train, compared to just the one door at present.

Network Rail announced plans earlier this year to extend the platforms at five stations in Cumbria to make way for longer trains following Government investment to improve services in the North West.

Platforms at Oxenholme, Staveley, Kents Bank, and Ulverston will also be extended allowing for more passengers when Northern’s longer trains hit the tracks.