Last weekend at Port Glasgow station in Scotland, train services were suspended while a redundant footbridge that had been replaced by a new fully accessible footbridge and lifts was removed.
The old footbridge had connected platforms 1 and 2 at the station, and its removal took place from last Friday, 9 to Monday, 12 February.
It has been rendered redundant after a new fully accessible footbridge and lifts were opened last December.
During the weekend, the staircase and tower on platform 1 were removed, and then in the early hours of Sunday morning, the bridge deck that formed the middle part of the bridge and weighed 15 tonnes was lifted off and placed on a trombone trailer.
The removal required the use of a second, 500-tonne crane, that had been set up in the Highholm Avenue park-and-ride car park.
The footbridge replacement is part of a £5m ‘Access for All' project to provide step-free access at the station. That is designed to make it easier to cross between the platforms for anyone with limited mobility, travelling with children, or who has luggage or cycles.
Normal train services resumed yesterday, Tuesday, 13 February, but they will be suspended again next Sunday, 18 and Monday, 19 February so that the remaining part of the work can be completed. Included is resurfacing both platforms, rendering work to the station wall, and removing all equipment and scaffolding.
Anyone intending to travel from the station next weekend should check their journey beforehand at nationalrail.co.uk.
Laura Craig, Network Rail's scheme project manager for the Port Glasgow Access for All project, said: “We are delighted with how the bridge removal went last weekend. This was another successful step in what has been an extremely well-organised and well-delivered project.
“Our work is a great example of Scotland's Railway working together effectively. We were able to schedule the bridge to be removed while the line was closed due to work taking place on the Inverclyde line to help minimise disruption for passengers.
“Again, we would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding during the work.”
Paul Shopp, Project Manager with STORY Contracting who have helped deliver the scheme, said: “The removal and demolition of the existing footbridge signifies another key milestone and moves us one step closer to completing what will be a fantastic project and asset for the local community.
“Collaborative working and diligent planning with our supply chain and Network Rail created a safe environment for this work to be executed over a single weekend, helping to minimise disruption on Scotland's Railway.
“A special thank you to the local community and commuters for their patience over the last 12 months as we carry out this work.”
