Improvement works costing £850,000 are set to be carried out at Stansted Airport railway station.

Rail operator Abellio Greater Anglia will spend the money upgrading lights at the station.

The work will improve lighting levels and brighten the platforms and waiting areas, which do not get any natural light.

A total of 250 new lights with energy efficient bright LED bulbs will be fitted with some on every column in the station.

The work, which is expected to continue until the end of April, is being carried out by Spence Ltd on behalf of the rail operator.

A team of specialist cleaners also recently targeted the station to do a deep clean.

Dirt, gum and grime from all floors, tiles, waiting rooms and toilet facilities were removed in the operation.

To complete the station’s smart new appearance it has also been fitted with brand new signage in the Abellio Greater Anglia colours.

Flavio Lopes, area customer service manager, said: “I look forward to welcoming customers to a brighter, cleaner and much more appealing station environment as this upgrade is completed over the coming weeks.

“Investing in upgrades to stations across the network is extremely important to Abellio Greater Anglia, demonstrating our commitment to providing excellent facilities and service to our customers.”

Abellio Greater Anglia has agreed with the Department for Transport to roll-out a series of improvements to services and facilities across the region.

A recent plan drawn up with Network Rail also includes a review of contingency plans to restore services to normal following disruption, while carriages will be improved on the West Anglia route.