A £1 MILLION refurbishment of a railway station has been officially opened.

Community leaders and local dignitaries attended the event on Friday, which marked the completion of a major improvement programme at Shotton Station.

Lord Barry Jones unveiled a plaque at the new ticket station, which was just one of the enhancements at the station by Flintshire County Council, the Welsh Assembly Government and Arriva Trains Wales.

Cllr Tony Sharps, deputy leader of Flintshire County Council and chairman of the Regional Transport Consortium for North Wales (TAITH), thanked Lord Barry Jones for taking the time to open the refurbished station.

He said: “Lord Jones represented the Alyn and Deeside area as Member of Parliament for over 30 years and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of residents – he is respected locally and beyond and we are proud to have asked him to carry out this official opening.

“As chairman of TAITH, I am proud to have secured this funding for the improvements for Shotton Station. The improvements will mean a better travelling experience for the commuter and place Shotton on the map as a safe and convenient place to travel from and to.”

The first phase of the work was carried out in 2009 and included a resurfaced, widened footpath between the high and low level stations, new passenger waiting shelters and new signs to help passengers find their way around. A new bicycle store and automated ticket vending machines were also installed.

The second phase was carried out between May and September this year and involved replacing the old ticket office with a new waiting room and service area.

A new Plusbus ticket was also launched at the opening which will allow passengers to buy a discounted ticket to get unlimited bus travel in the Deeside area.

An information leaflet about travel has also been published.