GILLINGHAM now has the first railway post office in Britain after the official re-opening of its station after a £2 million revamp.

The station, called a Connex Village, now offers rail passengers more than just a place to buy train tickets.

The station offers the nearby community, as well as passengers, a place to pick up a few groceries, buy a paper or even pay a bill at the Post Office. A shop, waiting rooms, family room and lifts have all been added to the once run-down station, which has taken a year to refurbish.

It was officially opened by Gillingham MP Paul Clark and the chief executive of Medway Council, Judith Armitt. Mr Clark said: "I have used the station for many years, since before becoming a Member of Parliament and I am delighted to see the improvements made by Connex.

"The facilities are excellent for the travelling public and there are now better waiting rooms, a family room and facilities for disabled people."

The new-look station has been welcomed by disabled groups, which were consulted by Connex on their needs. Derek Lynch, from Medway Access Group said: "Connex has done very well to make this station accessible to the disabled travelling public. There are induction loops for the deaf, the lifts are wide enough for wheelchairs, there is braille on the buttons in the lifts and there are ramps provided to help us get about on the station.

"Although the changes are very welcome, we are still waiting for the day when we can just turn up on any day and travel without having to plan ahead and let the station staff know we are coming."

Although Connex consulted with the disabled groups, there are still teething problems which Mr Lynch hopes will be rectified soon.

The main one is the ramp, allowing disabled passengers to move between platforms. Because it covers steep steps, it would mean a wheelchair user would go down it too fast to be able to prevent themselves from running on to the track.

The waiting rooms will eventually have graffiti-proof murals on the walls, designed by students at Kent Institute of Art and Design in Chatham.

The Medway Access Group can be contacted by calling 01634 361976.