CHANGES at Petersfield railway station this year could be just the ticket for day passengers, tourists and commuters.

Plans for a new coffee kiosk on the London bound platform are moving forward, and discussions are underway about converting the old parcel sorting office on the Portsmouth bound platform into a visitor advice and help centre.

At present early morning commuters can get coffee from a ‘tuk tuk’ style vehicle and the parcel sorting office has been unused for many years.

Plans have been agreed for a kiosk selling hot snacks, papers and coffee to replace the coffee cart, but there is debate about how to get power and water from the main station building, to the kiosk on the other side of the tracks.

East Hampshire Community Rail Partnership promotes rail travel, and encourages ideas and projects that will make stations more passenger friendly.

Partnership spokesman Mark Miller said it was hoped that getting the utilities to the kiosk site should be possible.

He added: “At the moment that’s the only thing stopping the kiosk being there. Once that’s resolved, it will be built and opened, hopefully by spring.”

He added the kiosk might be open right through the day, unlike the tuk tuk, which only caters for commuters.

Mr Miller said: “The partnership is looking at renting the old sorting office.

“In the long term it’s planned that it will become a proper café for the station.

“But in the meantime we hope it can be used as a visitors help centre, for those coming off the trains and buses outside the station.”

He added that when the cafe opened it was hoped the visitor information service would be able to continue.

A meeting of the partnership at Penns Place heard the station should start to look blooming wonderful this year.

The meeting took place as orders for several tubs and a “landmark flower display” have been agreed.

The tubs will be cared for by the Women’s Institute in honour of the Queen’s 90th birthday this year, while the flower display will be a tiered “statement” piece, measuring 1.2 metres by 2.3 metres.

Rail users are also being reminded that off-peak return tickets for 170 destinations priced at just £15 for adults and £5 for children, are available until April 30.

The special fare tickets can be ordered up to midnight the day before travelling. They are available to all South West Trains customers across the network.