Progress continues at Port Glasgow station where a 90-tonne steel structure was craned in last weekend.
Network Rail engineers worked through the night to install the two-story footbridge and lift towers, as part of the ongoing project to improve accessibility for passengers.
The structure was delivered onto Inverclyde Council’s park-and-ride car park at Highholm Avenue before it was craned section at a time into position on the station platforms.
At 16 metres tall, and weighing more than 25 tonnes, the lift tower for Platform 2 was the longest and heaviest section to be installed. When complete, it will provide a step-free route from Platform 2, over the railway to Platform 1 as well as higher access to the Highholm Avenue car park.
Laura Craig, Scheme Project Manager for Network Rail said: “Delivering a structure of this size onto the platform is a huge achievement. We’ve worked collaboratively with our principal contractor STORY while liaising with Inverclyde Council to ensure this was done safely and on time.
“Working through the night provides the safest environment for our teams to work in and causes the least disruption for passengers. There is still a lot of work 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 and we thank them once again for their patience and understanding throughout the project.”
This project has been funded by the Access for All (AfA) scheme, with contributions from Inverclyde Council, and is designed to make it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to access the platforms.
Another crucial part of the design was to provide new uncovered ramped access to the station entrance at Princes Street, with modern railings, new lighting, and a CCTV system which was completed earlier this month.
Ronnie Cowan, MP for Inverclyde, said: “I am delighted to see the most recent stage of the passenger access improvement.
“Following on from the installation of the ramp access to the westbound platform, the new bridge over the railway will become part of the greatly improved accessibility facilities.
“The installation looks really good and there has been no disruption to the rail schedule. I look forward to the completion of work and installation of the lift sometime next February.
“It’s taken a long time to get this in place but it will be a huge asset to the station. Passengers at Port Glasgow can look forward to a greatly enhanced experience of the station.”
The footbridge is expected to be completed in late Autumn, with the lifts entering into service towards the new year and the removal of the existing bridge planned for February 2024.
Image credit: Network Rail
