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Friday 22 Sep 2023

Construction work begins on major improvements at Luton station

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Network Rail has started work at Luton station as part of an extensive programme of improvements and upgrades designed to improve passenger experience.

The work will see the station canopies on platform 1 and 2 replaced, and a new, accessible bridge and three lifts installed. 

Over the next seven weeks, scaffolding will be put up on platform 1 and 2 for the decades-old canopies to be replaced. Storm damage had caused them to leak.

Work is expected to be completed in spring 2024, and platforms are planned to remain open throughout.

Meanwhile, progress on delivering accessibility improvements is continuing with work on the station’s Access for All scheme expected to start on site in spring 2024.

The scheme will see a new, accessible bridge installed with three lifts to make sure that all passengers can use the station freely and easily.

Accessibility work is scheduled to be completed in spring 2025.

Gary Walsh, route director for Network Rail in the East Midlands, said: “I know how strongly the community who use Luton station feel about these improvements and am pleased they will be able to see progress on site very soon.

“Inevitably the bridge and lift work will cause disruption to those who use the station. We’ve worked hard to design our scheme to keep disruption to the minimum possible and I thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we erect the scaffolding. Safety measures will be in place to protect passengers using the platforms.

“Work to the canopies and the subsequent work to make the station more accessible is essential to make Luton station better for all those who use it.”

Govia Thameslink Railway Customer Services Director Jenny Saunders said: "Our passengers at Luton rightly deserve better station facilities and we're delighted this work is now going to start."