Passengers can now enjoy a completely restored Grade II listed railway footbridge at Lancaster station.
The 121-year-old footbridge, which spans platforms 3–6, has been strengthened, had a new roof and windows installed, as well as a fresh coat of paint.
The improvements are thanks to a £1.3m investment by Network Rail as part of the Great North Rail Project.
To avoid disrupting passengers the upgrade was carefully planned in stages so the footbridge could stay open throughout its eight-month transformation.
Melinda Sallaway-Royle, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We’re delighted with how Lancaster station’s footbridge is looking after its refurbishment and it now provides passengers with a much brighter and inviting welcome to this important station on the West Coast main line.
“The Grade II listed bridge is over 100 years old and it’s lovely to be able to preserve a piece of history, keeping it safe and reliable for the next generation of passengers.”
Michael Byrne, station manager for Avanti West Coast, said: “Lancaster station is full of character, and one we’re extremely proud to manage. We want it to reflect the town it serves with great architecture and a warm welcome. The investment has helped to revitalise the footbridge and already generated lots of positive comments from our customers.”
Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, said: “It’s great to see the refurbished bridge at Lancaster station, it’s looking very smart and sets a great first impression to visitors to our city, and for regular rail users it’s a visible improvement.”
To read more about how Network Rail looks after heritage structures, visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/working-with-railway-heritage/
Photo credit: Network Rail
