The opening date for a controversial new railway station has been revealed, as the multi-million pound project nears completion.

Work on the Thanet Parkway station in Cliffsend, near Ramsgate - which has previously been branded a "waste of money" by critics - will be finished this summer.

Developers have spent more than double the original budget for the station, the cost of which has exceeded £35 million.

The new station will reduce journey times to London from Cliffsend by three minutes.

There were fears passengers travelling from existing Thanet stations would face longer travel times due to the extra stop, but Network Rail says work is ongoing to upgrade level crossings to prevent this.

The facility will include two platforms that will be able to accommodate 12-carriage trains, and a car park with close to 300 spaces.

Opinion has been divided on the scheme, with some saying it is unnecessary and the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Campaigner Ian Driver previously branded the project "financially and logistically" out of control.

He added: "The answer to better transport to and from Thanet is not a £34.5 million, polluting and environmentally damaging station at Cliffsend, but investing money into improving our already existing station."

A Network Rail spokesman told KentOnline: "The new Thanet Parkway station is almost complete, and it will be ready to welcome Southeastern customers from July 31.

"For trains to call at the new station without increasing journey times at the nearby stations, work is continuing to upgrade five level crossings along the line.

"This will allow trains to run at higher speeds, creating space in the timetable for the new stop, while maintaining the safety of customers, motorists, and pedestrians.

"This will be completed in early summer."

The station is backed by Kent County Council, which believes it will boost employment opportunities.

A spokesman said: "The long commute to London and poor connections to the rest of Kent has meant the east of the county has not always been the first choice for new business investment.

"The project will provide access to more employment opportunities for local residents.

"It will also improve investment opportunities at Discovery Park Enterprise Zone and surrounding business parks in Thanet."