Major refurbishment work at Whitton station is set to begin next Monday.

Improvements to the station entrance, including a new shop, accessible toilet, ticket office and cycle racks, are due to get underway on Monday (February 23).

The £2 million first phase of the station's regeneration is set to be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on September 18 and finishes on October 31 at Twickenham Stadium.

Whitton station's refurbishment is funded by Richmond Council, the RFU (Rugby Football Union) and the Department for Transport, with the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance overseeing the work.

The ticket office will close during the work, but extra ticket machines will be installed and additional staff will be on hand during peak hours to help passengers.

Some parking spaces immediately in front of the station will also be suspended, though a drop-off space will be maintained.

The second and final phase of the enhancements, including the installation of lifts and a new footbridge, is due to begin at the end of October. The work, funded under the DfT's Access for All scheme, is scheduled to be completed by summer 2016.

The station's upgrade was approved last year following a long campaign for disabled access.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, Richmond Council's environment chief, said: "The council has already made a big investment in transforming Whitton High Street and residents have been calling for improvements to Whitton station for a long time. We have invested £450k to this work and I know it will make a big difference to the local community.

"I know that the parking suspensions aren’t ideal – but I ask local residents and the business community to bear with us whilst the work continues. It will be worth it in the end."

The A316 could close on Rugby World Cup match days at Twickenham Stadium.