As part of project to provide step-free access to Dumfries station, the footbridge that connects platforms one and two at the station will be permanently closed after the departure of the last train next Friday, 15 December.
The footbridge is being closed so that engineers make preparations for its removal the following night, Saturday, 16 December. By providing step-free access at the station, it will be easier for anyone who has limited mobility, or is travelling with children, luggage, or bicycles to move between the platforms one and two.
Whilst the work is being carried out, train services will continue to operate as normal. However, it will be necessary to use a diversion route along St Mary Street to transfer between the platforms while the work is ongoing, and passengers should leave extra time for their journey to reflect this.
The car park at platform two will from today, Wednesday, 13 December so that preparatory work can be carried out before the bridge is removed on Saturday night. The car park re-open again as normal next Monday, 18 December.
Amanda Naughton, Network Rail s project manager for the Dumfries Access for All project said: We need to close the footbridge at Dumfries to allow us to safely carry out the next phase of work to deliver the new bridge in the station.
The closure of the bridge is permanent and is unavoidable to allow us to complete our work on the new bridge – which is due to open in Summer 2024.
We understand that having to take a longer route between the platforms is inconvenient and we would like to thank the local people for their patience and understanding as we carry out this work.
And also Westcliff and West Horndon stations on the c2c line that they too could become step-free.
This is what Greater Anglia should do with stations to be step-free accessible. Especially at stations such as Wickford, Prittlewell, Marks Tey, Hatfield Peveral, Wivenhoe, Thorpe-le-Soken, Brimsdown, Enfield Lock, Waltham Cross, Royston, Harlow Mill, Sawbridgeworth, Stowmarket, Diss and many others stations that aren’t step-free accessible to be upgraded to become step-free stations.