A GWENT train station is to get a major revamp thanks to a £3 million cash injection from the National Assembly and Europe.

Cwmbran station and the local bus network are to be transformed following Torfaen council's successful bids of £1.95 million from the Assembly's transport grant, and £1.1 million from the Objective One fund. The station was built in 1986 and according to council chiefs has been in need of a revamp for "many years".

A spokesman for Torfaen council said the cash will "improve facilities and make it easier to use and more comfortable for passengers."

Work on the three-year project is due to start next year. A new station building will be built, including a ticket office, toilet and waiting area. To make it easier for passengers to make connections to and from the station a new taxi rank and bus interchange facilities are also being built. New secure parking will be installed and the station will be monitored by CCTV cameras.

Cash will also be spent on improving bus networks to and from the town centre.

Torfaen's leader, Councillor Bob Wellington, said: "The project to improve Cwmbran station is long overdue, so I am really pleased to get the funding into place.

"It's a key project within the Torfaen Regeneration Strategy and is important for the future of Cwmbran.

"This project is part of a bigger picture and discussions regarding the regeneration of Cwmbran town centre will be taking place in the very near future.

"It is a very well used station and these proposals are a definite improvement."

Ian Bullock, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: "We are delighted to be working with industry partners on this project, which will greatly improve facilities for rail passengers. We are committed to delivering quality services to our customers and these improvements will go a long way towards achieving this."

Work will start next year.