The first set of Greater Anglia’s refurbished intercity Mark III train carriages are expected to be ready for use at the start of next year, it emerged last night.

The train operator made the announcement yesterday after a contract was signed with Vossloh Kiepe UK to carry out the upgrade work.

The refurbished carriages will be improved with plug points, new LED lighting and new carpets, tables and seat covers throughout first class and standard carriages.

Abellio Greater Anglia managing director, Jamie Burles, said: “We are delighted to sign this contract with Vossloh Kiepe UK for the upgrade of our MkIII carriage fleet.

“This major refresh will deliver a significant improvement in the travelling environment for passengers on our key intercity services between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London, with the first upgraded carriages due into service in the first quarter of next year.

“It is good news for customers, stakeholders and the region that this major enhancement will be delivered during our current short franchise contract to October 2016.

“We worked very hard to ensure that this investment scheme was approved as part of our contract and it illustrates our commitment to delivering a high quality service on the route.”

Other new additions to the carriages will be upgraded and environmentally-friendly controlled emission toilets, including new floors and taps and interior repainting in the carriages.

The work will take place at Greater Anglia’s Crown Point Depot in Norwich.

Graham Roberts, Managing Director of Vossloh Kiepe UK said: “We are delighted to have won this award, which allows us to demonstrate our 25 years of experience in modernisation and upgrade of UK railway vehicles to the improvement of passenger facilities on the MkIII carriages.

“We are committed to delivering this enhancement at Crown Point Depot on time and in close partnership with our customer Abellio Greater Anglia.”