A PACKAGE of improvements has been unveiled for passengers who use one of North Yorkshire's commuter railway stations.

The £73,000 scheme at Poppleton has provided an enclosed glass canopy for passengers using the York-bound platform and an enlarged and covered waiting area for commuters heading for Harrogate.

The scheme was initiated by City of York Council and part-funded by the council, Arriva Trains Northern and the developers of York Business Park.

The new facilities are aimed at benefiting the 3,500 residents of Poppleton.

York's executive member for planning and transport, Dave Merrett, said: "The new facilities are a small but very important part of our five- year programme to raise the quality of alternative modes of transport across the city.

"It is only by raising standards that motorists will be persuaded to switch to more sustainable modes of transport and congestion in the city will be reduced."

Arriva's northern regional director, Peter Cushing, said: "This scheme is an example of how working in partnership can bring real benefits to local rail passengers."