THE finishing touch will be put to the revitalized railway station in Malvern Link next week when work starts to repaint the historic iron footbridge linking the two platforms.

The station has just undergone a £500,000 regeneration, with the 1970s-vintage ticket office and waiting rooms being replaced with buildings more in keeping with Malvern's Victorian heritage.

More than 200,000 travellers use the station annually, and the amenities they can now enjoy include toilets, a new access ramp to Osborne Road, and a remodelled car park.

The station was officially opened by MP Harriett Baldwin on Friday, March 14, when she was joined by town mayor Julian Roskams and Lord Faulkner of Worcester, chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group.

And this week Mrs Baldwin said painting the footbridge will start on Monday, March 24.

She said: "The refurbishment project gives the train station a new lease of life but the bridge badly needs a fresh coat of paint.

"I am pleased that following my requests and those of cllr Paul Tuthill, Network Rail has agreed to start painting the footbridge and the new colours will be in keeping both with the classic Great Western palette and the new buildings.

"A major overhaul of the bridge will then occur in 2016, as it is over 100 years old.

"This work will finish off an important facelift for the station and present a wonderful, upbeat image to visitors to Malvern Link."

Cllr Tuthill said: "I'm delighted the bridge is being painted, because quite a few people have said that with the new buildings in place, the peeling blue paint is a bit of an eyesore. I'm also pleased that they have taken the Railway Heritage Trust's advice about the colours."

The station's makeover forms part of Worcestershire County Council's transport strategy in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, London Midland and Network Rail.

Worcester Foregate Street has also been upgraded, with revamped canopies, entrances and foyer, better cycle storage and an improved travel centre.