The first train ran from the station ran from 4.30am.

Slight delays were experienced by commuters on the high speed service, with people travelling to St Pancras International station in London also left disgruntled by the added inconvenience of platform changes.

The work was carried out by Network Rail from Sunday December 22 and Monday January 6 so that longer 12-car trains could run from the station in Rathmore Road, Gravesend and therefore service more people.

Other additions included a new footbridge with lifts and new track layout and signalling.

The lifts are due to begin working by the end of February.

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, said: “Passengers will see and benefit from a much-improved Gravesend station now this work is complete.

"The new platforms are an important part of boosting capacity in Kent and will be able to accommodate longer trains which will provide more space and seats for passengers.

“Completing work of this nature is never easy but it was carefully planned at a traditionally quieter time of the year to keep disruption to a minimum.

"I would like to thank passengers for their patience while we completed this upgrade and can assure them that we will continue to work with our partners and invest in the railway in Kent to provide the best possible service.”

Charles Horton, managing director of Southeastern said: “This project is part of our ongoing commitment to invest in and improve services for passengers, and part of our plan to meet the increasing demand for our services.

"Gravesend station now not only have a crucial third platform which will give us more flexibility with operating the service, but the station is now also fully accessible.

"We’d like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience while this work was carried out.”

Did you see: Protesters were today set to take to rail stations around Kent calling for a tough cap on rail fare rises on all routes.