A MAJOR project to improve station car parks across the south has reached the halfway stage.

Botley station has already been upgraded and similar work is about to be carried out at two transport hubs in the New Forest - New Milton and Hinton Admiral.

They are among 14 stations in five counties that are being given a facelift.

The £352,000 scheme includes marking out safe walking routes and removing trip hazards as well as resurfacing work. Drainage systems are being improved to prevent rainwater from forming puddles.

Work at the three Hampshire stations involved in the project is expected to cost a total of £138,000.

Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “The improvements will make travelling to and from the stations much easier, and provide passengers with a better experience.

“While we carry out this work, we will try to keep passenger disruption to a minimum.”

Alan Penlington, customer experience director for South Western Railway, added: “We welcome these improvements to car parks at our stations.

“The addition of the walkways will help to ensure customers using our services will be able to travel to and from the station safely.”

The car park at New Milton station is due to be upgraded on Sunday. Similar work will be carried out at Hinton Admiral on Monday and Tuesday.