NATIONAL Express and the Department for Transport have signed an agreement to extend the C2C franchise for a further 16 months.

The rail operator plans to upgrade a number of stations, including improvements to customer facilities, improved access for mobility impaired people, and additional cycle parking.

They also plan to create an extra entrance to London Fenchurch Street station, and develop Stanford-le-Hope station.

C2C managing director Julian Drury said: “We’re delighted the C2C franchise has been extended. National Express has been operating in the local community for more than a decade, and our customers know how much this service has changed since the days of the Misery Line.

“Over the next 16 months we aim to maintain our excellent punctuality record, while delivering real improvements for passengers to our stations.”

The new franchise will run until September 2014, with the potential for a further extension to May 2015.