"POTENTIALLY noisy" overnight works are scheduled during the next few weeks, but Worcestershire County Council says the new Kidderminster Train Station will be worth the disruption.

The Comberton Hill forecourt has now been fenced off and works to prepare the site for its new glass-fronted station are well underway.

When work on the forecourt area is complete, it will then revert to being used as a passenger drop off area and taxi rank. It will also host temporary ticket office facilities until the works on the new station building are complete.

Letters have been sent out to surrounding residents, warning of potentially noisy overnight works in March and April, but Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for infrastructure Ken Pollock says the new station will be "worth the short term disruption".

He said: "There has been a lot happening at the Kidderminster Station site since work started on the scheme in the New Year. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress continue over the coming months.

"I appreciate there is much change whilst these improvements are taking place but I'm positive that the new station building, when complete, will be worth the short term disruption."

Later this spring, the next phase of the scheme will see the temporary ticket office and public toilets constructed.

Work will then start on the demolition of the existing station building and foundations for the new station will start to be laid in the summer.

The scheme is primarily funded jointly by Worcestershire Local Enterprise and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, who have both invested £2.5m and £2.4m of Government’s Growth Deal Funds respectively, with small capital contributions from Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council.

Councillor Chris Rogers, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The redevelopment of the Railway Station is an important element of our ReWyre transformation programme for Kidderminster.

"The transport theme of ReWyre is all about creating a highly accessible town and enhancing accessibility within the district and connections to the wider region.

"This vision is fast becoming a reality with the station work now visibly progressing to provide an attractive station for residents, visitors, workers and investors to be proud of.”

Richard Brooks, from West Midlands Railway, added: “The new station will greatly improve the experience for rail passengers at Kidderminster, but will also provide a real boost for the local economy.

"Once complete, the station will become a more welcoming gateway for those visiting the Severn Valley Railway or travelling to and from the local area.

"The significant progress at the station over the past few months is great news for those using the station and we want to thank our passengers for their patience during this work.”