HAMPSHIRE rail stations are in line for a multi-million-pound improvement scheme with the launch of a passenger research project this month.

Network Rail unveiled the scheme as part of a five-year £3.25billion plan to improve thousands of stations across the country.

The investment programme will see stations such as Whitchurch, Overton, Basingstoke, Hook and Winchfield benefit from new passenger information systems, lifts and stairways, toilets, waiting rooms, shelters, longer or resurfaced platforms, bigger or refurbished ticket offices, ticket halls and better lighting and closed-circuit TV.

Smaller stations will also be re-decorated with the addition of more seating and shops.

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail’s route director for Wessex, said: “Stations are the railways’ shop-fronts and they have been ignored for too long.

“With the punctuality of the railways now running at record levels, and our major programme to boost capacity and provide more seats on trains under way, we can now look at other priorities and stations and are at the top of the list.

“Much is planned in the area over the coming years and we must invest wisely. We shouldn’t try to second-guess passengers but ask them what they want from stations and what's important to them. We need to listen to passengers and use their views to guide our decisions.”

The three-month research project involves online surveys, telephone surveys and focus groups find out what passengers rate as the most important things to have at stations.

The results of the survey will feed into a much wider review on stations led by Network Rail.

At the same time Network Rail said about 50 stations in Surrey and Hampshire will benefit from investment between now and spring 2014.

The survey can be accessed online at www.networkrail.co.uk/actionstations.