Transport minister visits Waterloo to check out rail upgrade plan

"This is an exciting scheme that will transform the passenger experience at one of Europe's busiest stations," said Baroness Kramer.

"I was very pleased to see the plans in more detail and to go out on the tracks at Waterloo to see both the challenges for the industry and the opportunities for passengers."

Last month we reported on plans to bring three of the five platforms of the former international terminal back into use by the end of this year.

Tim Shoveller, managing director of the South West Trains – Network Rail alliance, said: "The growth we are managing now is phenomenal – more than 95 million passengers at Waterloo with us every year – there is a clear need to improve the railway in the area.

"Improving Waterloo is a key part of our strategic plan and it will benefit passengers across our network, not just in London."

Proposals for a £350 million upgrade of Waterloo Station were announced by the coalition government in 2012.