PLANS to revamp Bournemouth Railway Station to try to restore some of its former glory have been submitted.

The proposals have been designed to try to improve the gateway to the town and make the Grade II listed station more user-friendly.

They have been drawn up by Mouchel on behalf of both Bournemouth council and South West Trains.

The plans include reducing the impact of the existing 1960s canopy to give the entrance a lighter, brighter appearance and reduce ongoing maintenance problems.

They will also seek to reduce congestion in the booking hall by extending it into the area currently occupied by the staff mess room and ticket office.

There will also be a new queuing area with information boards and ATMs, ticket on delivery and ticket vending machines.

A new row of automatic ticket barriers will be installed across the new access onto the platform. A new ticket office, staff mess room and toilet will be opened in an adjacent office.

Ian Kalra, head of transportation services at Bournemouth council, said: “As part of the Three Towns Travel initiative we want to make the Bournemouth Travel Interchange more welcoming for visitors and those living and working in this area.

“The proposed plans aim to make the interchange more attractive for users and give people enhanced transport choices. These improvements will see improved bus and taxi waiting facilities, improved access by cycle, better signage, as well as landscaping through the use of high-quality paving materials to create a safer and more welcoming feel to this part of the town.”

The proposals have won the support of the Bournemouth Civic Society, which scrutinises planning applications and assesses them on their merits. The society said that the current metal canopy was “boring” and said the project was “a most worthwhile piece of restoration which will considerably improve the appearance of Bournemouth Station”.