Extra CCTV facilities, re-opened platform toilets, new information facilities and better waiting-room doors are among the short-term improvements proposed by a working group set up by Metro to look at Halifax Rail Station.

Other improvements planned by the group, whose members include Northern Rail, Network Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust and Calderdale Council, include replacement or refurbished entrance signage and an agreement by Northern that it will store rubbish away from customer areas.

The Group’s initial meeting on Friday 19 April heard that Northern had already improved the cleaning regime at the station and that a deep clean of paintwork and other surfaces had been carried out.

Network Rail, the Group was told, is proposing to carry out repairs to the approach road and the repainting of the bridge parapet and Northern is looking at minor painting works to improve the station’s appearance. This will be ahead of the full repainting programme, to be undertaken once any major works are completed.

Working Group members called upon Network Rail to bring forward work on the platform canopy, which could include a complete refurbishment, and the Railway Heritage Trust pledged financial support for the project.

“I am pleased that we will be able to report progress in a number of areas that will address the Halifax and District Rail Action Group’s concerns about the station,” said John Henkel, Metro’s Director of Passenger Services.

“There are obviously some long-term issues which need to be resolved, particularly in relation to the repair or replacement of the canopy, but we are confident that the programme of short-term improvements agreed at our first Working Group meeting will very quickly make the station a better place to wait for and catch a train.”

Mr Henkel went on to say that while the Halifax Station Working Group had already held its first meeting, he anticipated other bodies being invited to join the group if they are able to bring practical ideas and potential funding to the table.