A CROWDED rail station will benefit from £30,000 worth of improvements.

Aldrington Railway Station, in Hove, has seen passenger numbers double in a decade as Hove has become a more popular commuter destination.

Passengers frequently complain of overcrowded platforms, a lack of service update displays, no wet weather shelter and a shortage of ticket machines.

Now after a concerted effort from the community, Govia Thameslink has allocated £30,000 from its Small Stations Fund to be spent as the community sees fit.

Nick Brown, chief operating officer of Govia Thameslink, was invited to Aldrington station by Peter Kyle MP on Friday.

He was introduced to passengers, campaigners, and Councillor Tom Bewick, all of whom have been working hard for improvements to Aldrington station.

After hearing what the local community wants to achieve with the station, he agreed to release £30,000 for improvements to Aldrington.

The Aldrington Station Community Group will now take control of how the money is invested.

Early discussions include suggestions for better departure signage, shelter, and increased ticket machines.

There is even the possibility of an additional, shorter, entrance to the London-bound platform.

Peter Kyle said: “I’m pleased that we’ve made progress and that the Aldrington Station Community Group can be proud of what it’s achieved.

“With £30,000 and the commitment to improve signage, fencing, and reliability of ticket machines we can all be proud.

“I’m looking at the next big push to solve the problem of the dreaded footbridge at Hove station next.”

Cllr Tom Bewick said: “This is great news for the passengers who use Aldrington Station.

“This was in the Argus last year and for at least a year we’ve been working as a campaigning community to secure these changes.

“The Aldington passenger action group is going to sit down with the regional manager and decide how the money is to be spent.

“We’ve really put pressure on Southern as a community and I’m thrilled they’ve delivered.”

Passengers using Aldrington have doubled from 116,000 in 2005/06 to 236,000 in 2015/16 but commuters have complained the increase was not reflected in investment.