The final preparations to enable the major improvements project to go ahead are being carried out by railway engineers at Warwick station.
The multi-million-pound project which has seen investment by Network Rail and also via the Governments Access for All scheme will see two new lifts installed using the existing subway and providing step-free access for passengers on platforms 1 and 2 for the very first time. The new lifts will support those with reduced mobility, families with pushchairs or those with heavy luggage. The work follows a public consultation which took place in November.
Work on the project will get underway in January and should be finished by the end of 2023.
In order for the lifts to be installed safely, the subway connecting platforms 1 and 2 will close from Friday the 3rd of March and will see a diversionary route which will take six minutes put in place for passengers making their way between the platforms.
Platform 1 will also be shortened during the project in order for work to be completed in a safe environment and in order to keep trains operating beginning on Monday the 25th of February. The shortening of the platform will mean one less train calls at Warwick each day, however, those services will continue to call at Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa. Train service which will not be able to call at Warwick station during the work are as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 09:30 to Birmingham Snow Hill
- Saturday: 19:29 to Birmingham Snow Hill
- Sunday: 20:03 to Birmingham Snow Hill
- These services will still call at Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa.
Passengers are being advised to plan their travel ahead using www.nationailrail.co.uk due to the changes.
During the period of work, some facilities at the station will see a temporary change as follows:
- The station car park will see a compound set up for engineers and will see several parking spaces out of use
- The station's customer toilets will be temporarily relocated
Network Rail is inviting local residents and businesses to a number of informal drop-in events in order to explain more about the essential work and how it may affect people. The events will take place on platform 1 at the station on the following dates:
- Tuesday the 17th of January between 8am and 10am
- Thursday the 19th of January between 4pm and 6pm
- Tuesday the 24th of January between 4pm and 6pm
- Thursday the 26th of January between 8am and 10am
Elinor Weymouth, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We're looking forward to getting started on this important project for passengers in Warwick which will see step-free access between platforms 1 and 2 for the first time.
“There will be some local disruption during the multi-million-pound upgrade which is why we'll be at the station to answer any questions local people may have over the next couple of weeks. I'd urge anyone living or working nearby to come along so we can explain in person how this important work is making journeys better for passengers.”
Network Rail is working hand in hand with Chiltern Railway in order to cause as little disruption as possible for both passengers and the local community whilst the work is completed during 2023.
Eleni Jordan, commercial & customer strategy director at Chiltern Railways, said: “We are delighted that the installation of lifts between platforms at Warwick station is about to begin. When this step-free access is installed, it will be a significant improvement to customer experience at the station.
“Alongside Network Rail, we are committed to engaging with local stakeholders and the wider community, ensuring they are aware of the short-term disruption they may experience while we complete these important accessibility improvements. All customers are welcome to join the drop-in sessions advertised to find out more.”
