The team behind the redevelopment of Ipswich station forecourt has published artist’s impressions showing how the building is likely to be transformed next year.

Work is due to formally start in January outside the station building as work rebuilding the booking hall continues.

Once it is completed there should be more room for pedestrians to circulate outside the station building.

For motorists there will be two entirely separate entrances to the station. A new free short-stay parking area will be created outside the multi-storey car park, mainly for people picking up passengers or buying tickets in advance.

The main area in front of the station will be for taxis and buses only, and there will be a separate drop-off area on the Ranelagh Road side of the station.

The works will cost just under £1m and should be completed by the middle of 2016. A formal “spade in the ground” ceremony to start the work is due to take place in early January.

The project is being led by Suffolk County Council as part of the Travel Ipswich programme – and is aimed at completing the improvements to Princes Street to encourage passengers to walk to and from the station.

It is working in partnership with rail operator Abellio Greater Anglia which is redeveloping the station buildings – at the cost of a further £1m – to make it more attractive for passengers.

The work on the station buildings is expected to be completed by the end of August next year.

The work was welcomed by Ipswich MP Ben Gummer, who has been at the forefront of campaigns to improve rail services and to make the town more attractive to visitors and business leaders.

He said: “This is certainly a great improvement and will make the area much more inviting for those arriving in the town and rail users generally.”