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Tuesday 5 Mar 2024

Network Rail to provide step-free access at Carstairs station

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has announced plans for a new footbridge at Carstairs station. 

The project will also see a lift installed in the station to improve accessibility, particularly for those with reduced mobility and those travelling with luggage, prams or bikes.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the £1.85m investment will enable passengers to move from street to platform at the South Lanarkshire station without the need to use stairs.

Work is now underway to install the new bridge which will connect on to the island-platform at the station from the village’s Strawfrank Road.

It is scheduled to be completed by September this year and follows significant platform improvements in 2023.

Laura Craig, Network Rail’s project manager for the accessibility improvement work at Carstairs station said: “We explored a range of options within the station which had the potential to deliver the required accessibility improvements.

“The lift and bridge being installed at Carstairs will deliver modern standards of access and create a more welcoming entrance to the station for passengers.

“We’re confident that the proposed design delivers the best solution for rail passengers and for the wider community, enabling more people to travel by train and improving the overall experience of travelling on Scotland’s Railway.”

The footbridge will be located to the north of the existing structure with a 20m span, 1.8m high parapets (side walls), a 10m high lift tower and staircase to enable access to the island platform.

Network Rail submitted a notification for prior approval for the work to South Lanarkshire Council as this development does not require a planning application.