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Friday 9 Apr 2021

Major railway investment for station footbridge in Telford

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Nearly a million pounds is being invested to replace a public footbridge to provide a better way for people to cross the railway in Telford.

The old footbridge linking the south of Oakengates station to Station Fields and Hancocks Drive will be removed overnight on Sunday 18 April.

A new, more reliable structure will be installed eight weeks later on Sunday 13 June.

While the new bridge is being built, local people will still be able to cross the railway using the main footbridge at Oakengates station.

The improvements are part of a £920,000 investment by Network Rail.

The upgrade comes as the rail industry continues to get the railway in the best possible shape for passengers as coronavirus travel restrictions are relaxed.

Dave Penney, Network Rail's Central route director, said: “Replacing the public footbridge at Oakengates will really transform the look and feel of the station and surrounding area.

“The old bridge has to be replaced, and the new improved bridge will help give passengers a warm welcome as they return to the rail network after the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Work will take place to remove and reinstall the bridge overnight, so passenger services will not be affected.

Brenda Lawrence, head of stations for West Midlands Railway, said: “These are welcome improvements which will make a real difference to our customers’ journeys at Oakengates.

“I would like to thank passengers for their patience while these works are carried out as we continue to welcome more people back to the railway.”

Meanwhile, passengers are being urged to follow the latest government guidance on the use of public transport as lockdown measures ease.

People are urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest information.