Dumfries station is the latest to receive investment from the UK Government’s Access to All scheme.
Network Rail engineers worked during the night of Saturday 13th April into Sunday to install a new £3.6 million footbridge and lifts at the station, which will provide step-free access to the platforms.
Dumfries station was one of 73 stations selected in April 2019 to benefit from a £350 million investment into the Government’s Access for All scheme to improve accessibility at stations across the country for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children or bicycles.
The scheme, which was first launched in 2006, has already made more than 200 stations step-free.
Amanda Naughton, Scheme Project Manager for Network Rail said: “The successful installation of the new steel structure by crane marks a key milestone in our project to improve accessibility at Dumfries station.
“We’ve worked collaboratively with our principal contractor STORY and train operator ScotRail to make sure this key activity was completed safely and on time without any impact on rail services.”
Last month the footbridge underwent a successful inspection and trial build.
The installation was completed using a 500-tonne crane and a 110-tonne crane to lift the superstructure into place.
Work is now underway to complete the entire project. The new lifts and bridges are expected to open to passengers this summer.
Amanda continued: “There is still a lot to do before passengers will be able to use the footbridge and the lifts, but we hope everyone living nearby and using the station is pleased with the progress so far and is looking forward to the benefits that this new accessible footbridge will bring.”
Weighing 51 tonnes, the new footbridge is made up of 2,389 individual parts and is pieced together by 973 bolts. It incorporates elements from the original footbridge at Dumfries station, with a saltire design on the bridge parapet and curved detail on the bridge deck.
The station’s heritage features are also complemented by open railings on the staircase and a sandstone cladding system on the lift towers.
Image and video credit: Network Rail
