A new fully accessible footbridge and lift towers have been installed at Uddingston station.
Network Rail engineers worked through the night to install the steel structures at the South Lanarkshire station, which serves passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line – one of the busiest lines in Europe.
The work was carried out as part of the Access for All (AfA) scheme, which invests in making it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to access platforms at stations across the UK.
Work is continuing on the project with the footbridge and lifts set to be opened to the public shortly after the old footbridge is removed in June.
Susan Menmuir, 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 ScotRail, South Lanarkshire Council and British Transport Police to ensure this was done safely and on time.
“Working through the night provides the safest environment for our teams to work in and the least disruption for passengers. We thank the public for their cooperation and understanding while the car park was closed to allow these crucial works. Thanks to successful planning and collaborative working, we were able to reopen the car park ahead of schedule.
“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 of having a fully accessible station.”
Councillor Kenny McCreary, who represents Uddingston and Bothwell, said: “I would like to compliment Network Rail and their partners on delivering the upgrades to Uddingston Station.
“Throughout the work, they consulted with residents, local groups and elected members and their communication was first class. The work has been completed on schedule and will support those with mobility issues, with small children and those with luggage through installation of a lift to allow access to both platforms.
“In addition, Network Rail and their contractors have been sympathetic to the expectations of the local horticultural group, Grow Uddingston, who make the station one of the prettiest in Scotland, especially in spring and summer when flowers are in full bloom.
Michael Hart, on behalf of Uddginston Community Council, said: “Uddingston Community Council would like to congratulate Network Rail on meeting this important milestone and look forward to Network Rail and Grow Uddingston working together to bring the station back to being one of the prettiest in Scotland.”
The existing bridge will remain in operation until it is removed in June with the new footbridge and lifts expected to be open shortly afterwards.
The total weight of the whole structure is 75-tonnes with the largest component – the bridge deck – weighing approximately 15-tonnes. Engineers used a 230-tonne crane and a 60-tonne crane to lift the superstructure into place.
