Investment: The station forecourt was improved over the course of six months

The Barking Station forecourt has been hailed as a more welcoming and user-friendly space following a £1.3million revamp.

Developers spent six months rejuvenating the front of the station with new bus lay-bys and a bigger pavement after concerns about overcrowding and congestion.

They also installed new bus shelters, taxi pick-up points, cycle parking, a station clock, improved lighting and added drop-off points for the disabled.

Councillors officially unveiled the Station Parade forecourt, which has almost twice as much pedestrian space, on July 25.

Regeneration cabinet member, Cllr Cameron Geddes, said: “We are delighted with the improvements at Barking Station forecourt. They have made a huge difference to the area. The new space is more welcoming, attractive and easier to use.”

A public consultation about the state of the forecourt revealed a third of commuters - 32 per cent - were concerned about its overcrowding.

The second biggest gripe was the lack of space for buses, with 14 per cent of respondents asking for the issue to be addressed and the third was security (10 per cent).

The 2010 consultation exercise paved the way for the works, which were funded by Transport for London, the Greater London Authority and other organisations.

Barking is the borough’s main commuter station, with the District and Hammersmith & City lines, c2c services to Fenchurch Street and Essex and a London Overground line running through it.

Parsons Brinckerhoof and Project Centre designed the new forecourt. The works began in September 2011 and were completed in March 2012.

Cllr Geddes added: “We would like to thank residents and commuters for their patience during the time the improvement works took place.”