Work on step-free access across Kidsgrove Station has been restarted following a setback.
The Department for Transport is currently progressing with their ‘Access for All' programme, which is upgrading stations across the country to provide step-free access for customers, with 2018 seeing work begin at Kidsgrove Station and it's four platforms.
While the footbridge's groundwork
was being carried out, the team made a surprise discovery when they located previously unknown mine shafts. Unfortunately, this meant the footbridge would need to be redesigned, delaying the project.
The new timescale should see footbridge preparation work take place on Monday to Friday (8 am to 6 pm) and Saturday nights (1 am to 5 am) from now to until May 2021. Trains will not be affected by the work ongoing at the station.
Sponsor for Network Rail on the project Deborah Fairweather said: “We understand how frustrating this delay has been for passengers, but after many months of hard work I'm pleased to say we are now ready to provide a firm footing for the new footbridge at Kidsgrove station. As some of this work will be noisy, we have written to people living nearby, and we will do our very best to minimise disruption to residents.
“I'd like to thank people for their continued patience while we work to transform accessibility at Kidsgrove. We'll be making progress throughout this period of national lockdown as part of Network Rail's commitment to build back better and get the railway ready for when Britain emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.”
Transition and Projects Director at East Midlands Railway Lisa Angus said: “We are working very closely with Network Rail to help support this vital project and keep any disruption the works cause to a minimum. The new lifts and footbridge will greatly improve accessibility at Kidsgrove station and help passengers with reduced mobility more easily access our services.”
For more information on the ‘Access for All' programme visit www.networkrail.co.uk/access-for-all
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Could we PLEASE get photos of those mineshafts?
I probably would think that Kidsgrove should have a new footbridge with lifts that will make the station step-free accessible.
Plus what about Polesworth. Could a new platform be built on the London bound WCML slow line. And to build a new footbridge with lifts or ramps to access the new platform. With the existing platform to be revamped and to have a new station building at Polesworth.
And maybe install a new footbridge with lifts at Rugeley Trent Valley station on the WCML.