Stafford station will soon be installed with brand new ticket barriers to prevent ticketless travel.

As part of major rail reforms being made by the Government, new ticket gates will be installed at stations and platforms across England.

Train users will benefit from £33.4 million of funding, which aims to make travelling by rail fairer as those who attempt to dodge fares are more likely to be stopped.

According to the Department for Transport: "Fare evasion puts up to £400 million of rail revenue at risk each year and every pound lost to fare dodging is one that can't be spent on improving services – whether maintaining the network, upgrading carriages, or improving wifi.

"These new gates will help protect revenue and put it back to work where it belongs- delivering better journeys for passengers."

A range of gate types will be installed at stations that currently do not have barriers including new taller gates to prevent barrier jumping.

Stafford station will be among those to benefit from the new taller gates.

The Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: "Fare evasion is not a victimless crime – it undermines confidence in the railway and means passengers lose out on millions in revenue, which should be invested to improve services for everyone.

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"By stopping fare dodgers before they reach the platform, we're protecting taxpayer cash, supporting investment in the network and ensuring the railway works better for the millions of passengers who do the right thing every day by paying their way.

"As we deliver significant reform across our railways in the lead-up to Great British Railways, we are creating a truly joined-up railway, which is more accountable and better equipped to deliver the reliable, modern railway passengers deserve, to create jobs, growth and homes.

Great British Railways (GBR) is a public body set up by the Government to bring services back into public ownership.

It is hoped that GBR will coordinate the rail network and put an end to fragmentation.