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Thursday 26 Jul 2018

Stirling station footbridge works set to start

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail will shortly begin work to refurbish the footbridge between platforms six and nine at Stirling station after planning permission to create a new step-free access for customers was granted.

The footbridge will be closed from mid-August while engineers prepare the structure for removal and a temporary footbridge will be in use for passengers from this time.

The lattice footbridge will be removed for refurbishment and then reinstalled higher above the rails to enable the line underneath to be electrified. It will also be converted into a fully accessible structure with the installation of a new lift on platform nine.

The overall project will include:

• Refurbishing and raising the footbridge for overhead wires to be installed
• Alterations to the roof canopy
• Installation of a lift on platform nine to provide step-free access
• Reconstruction of the staircase on platform nine
• Alterations to the internal landing areas between the footbridge and the existing lift on platform three.

The temporary, stepped footbridge – which is higher than the existing bridge so overhead power lines can be strung underneath - will be in use for around six months while the repairs and modifications take place.

The exact dates of the closure of the bridge are currently being finalised.

The bridge works are part of a wider project on the Stirling line to electrify the route as part of a Scottish Government-funded investment being delivered by Network Rail.

Electrification of central Scotland’s rail network will reduce journey times from Stirling to Glasgow and Edinburgh, increase capacity on peak services and provide longer, faster greener trains.

Mhairi Mackenzie, Network Rail’s senior sponsor for the project, said: “This work is an essential part of our plan to improve access at the station while also creating the space we need beneath the bridge to electrify the railway.

“Once complete, the Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa electrification project will greatly enhance journeys allowing us to run faster, longer, greener trains while increasing the number of seats available for customers.”