Multi-million pound upgrades to East Croydon Station are set to begin on Christmas Day.

Engineers are set to tear up the disused Royal Mail conveyor bridge running across the platforms to make way for a new footbridge which will eventually provide access to and from the Ruskin Square and Lansdowne Road developments.

Lifts will also be installed on the footbridge, which will link the platforms, to provide an alternative disabled access route for passengers.

Mark Ruddy, Network Rail's route managing director for Sussex, said: "East Croydon is one of the busiest stations in the country.

“The new footbridge will provide more capacity, reduce congestion and make the station easier to use for everybody.

“The improved station will play an important role in the regeneration of East Croydon, creating better links for the community and businesses."

East Croydon is the start or end for 20.5m journeys every year, making it the 14th busiest station in the country.

From the early hours of Christmas day until the early hours of Tuesday December 27 the taxi rank and drop-off point will be closed to all traffic.

The station subway may also be out of use on a number of evenings between 9pm and 5am during December.

Southern’s East Croydon station manager, Andrew Bolton, said: “This is the beginning of a brand new chapter in East Croydon station’s history.

"When the new footbridge is in place, our passengers will benefit tremendously.

“In the meantime, while the old conveyor is removed, we will ensure that our passengers have all the information they need to get around the station.”

The station upgrade forms part of Croydon Council’s East Croydon masterplan which includes providing a more efficient transport interchange and high-quality public realm in the town.

The East Croydon master plan brings together developments, including Stanhope Schroder's Ruskin Square and Menta's Cherry Orchard Road controversial tower plans.