Work is

Work is set to start on Dartford’s new £7 million railway station.

Network Rail will begin upgrading the station, with plans to replace the existing site with a three-storey building.

The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

The station is one of the busiest across the South East, with more than three million journeys made each year.

New station facilities will include a new concourse and ticket office, designed to accommodate more people at busy times and new toilets and shops on the ground floor.

There will also be more parking bays in an open plaza area at the front of the station, which will be created by demolishing offices used by railway staff and relocating workers to the first and second floors of the new building.

Platforms will feature longer canopies, so passengers can stay dry while waiting for their trains.

The scheme has been backed by two government agencies with £6 million of the money provided by the Homes and Communities Agency, and £1 million coming from the Department for Transport.

The Civic Centre's visitor car park will be closed during the work to make room for a temporary ticket office.

Visitors to the Dartford council headquarters have been advised to use the Westgate surface car park in Kent Road.

Dartford council leader, Jeremy Kite, said: "I know closing the car park while Network Rail build the station is a pain, but it is essential if Dartford commuters are to have the new station they deserve."

Network Rail also announced they will refurbish Swanley railway station in time for the Paralympic Games at Brands Hatch.

Building work will include two new lifts, an improved shop, a new ticket office and renovating waiting rooms and toilets.