Thursday 6 Jun 2013
Railway footbridge plan for Chippenham is on track
- Region & Route:
- | Wales & Western: Western
- | Wales & Western
Network Rail is working on a £2.98m project to improve access for passengers at Chippenham railway station.
A new footbridge and lift could be installed as part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme. The new footbridge would replace the existing footbridge, which is a public right of way.
They would enable people to reach platforms 1 and 2 by using a new lift at the front of the station, making journeys easier for elderly and disabled people as well as people with pushchairs or heavy bags to carry. The platforms are currently only accessible via a second footbridge with stairs.
The existing footbridge was built around 1899 to provide pedestrian access over the railway track. The station itself dates from 1841.
Notes to editors
The plans for the new footbridge are being considered by Wiltshire Council and are being backed by disabled and elderly people’s groups in Chippenham.
They were first submitted in March 2012 but have since been amended to make sure the footbridge falls within Network Rail’s land ownership.
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