Media centre

Monday 4 Nov 2019

Historic connection gets 21st Century upgrade - Dates for upgrade at Welwyn Garden City station announced

Region & Route:

Eastern

Network Rail has today (Monday, 4 November) announced that work to upgrade the footbridge at Welwyn Garden City station will begin on Sunday, 22 December.

An investment of over £1million will see the footbridge, which links the railway station and east Welwyn Garden City, completely refurbished with a lift installed, along with new, safer stairs. Network Rail engineers will clean the bridge before repainting it and carrying out structural improvements; work will also take place to resurface the walkway and install new lights.

Once complete, the project will improve the look and feel of the station, improving passenger experience and better connecting the town.

The work won’t cause any disruption to rail services, but there will be no access to the train station via Hydeway. The alternative route will be via Bridge Road. Network Rail is working closely with Govia Thameslink Railway, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council on the project, and all parties are working together to keep disruption to a minimum. The project will complete in late spring 2020.

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail, said: “We are pleased to announce that work on this much needed upgrade will begin later this year. The refurbishment of the footbridge will better connect the town, as well as improving passenger experience at the station. The work won’t cause any disruption to rail services, but will cause some disruption to those walking to the station or town centre and we would like to apologise for this.

“We are working closely with all parties to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum. We will work closely with the centenary celebrations organisers to support and promote their activities wherever possible and we thank all station users for their patience whilst this takes place."

Andy Martin, on behalf of the Wheat Quarter, said: “We’re delighted to be delivering a decades long vision to unite the East of Welwyn Garden City with the town centre and train station. When combined with the new Wheat Quarter development – we will have a connected Welwyn Garden City fit for the 21^st Century.”

Network Rail has a 24-hour helpline. Any questions or queries about noise, safety or the operation should be reported to 03457 11 4141.

ENDS