Network Rail installs multi-million-pound footbridge and lifts installed at Dumfries station

Network Rail has successfully installed a new £3.6m footbridge and lifts at Dumfries station.

The infrastructure manager said that its engineers worked through the night on Saturday (April 13) into Sunday to install the steel structures, which will provide step-free access to the platforms.

The work was carried out as part of a £3.6m Access for All scheme investment, which aims to make it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to travel by train.

The installation was completed using a 500-tonne crane and a 110-tonne crane to lift the superstructure into place.

This followed a successful inspection and trial build of the footbridge, fabricated in Annan by M&S Engineering Ltd, last month.

Work is now underway to complete the entire project, with the new lifts and bridge set to open to passengers this summer.

Amanda Naughton, Scheme Project Manager for Network Rail, said: “The successful installation of the new steel structure by crane marks a key milestone in our project to improve accessibility at Dumfries station.

“We’ve worked collaboratively with our principal contractor STORY and train operator ScotRail to make sure this key activity was completed safely and on time without any impact on rail services.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation and understanding while our work is ongoing.

“There is still a lot to do before passengers will be able to use the footbridge and the lifts, but we hope everyone living nearby and using the station is pleased with the progress so far and is looking forward to the benefits that this new accessible footbridge will bring.”

The new accessible footbridge weighs 51 tonnes and has 2,389 individual parts, pieced together with 973 bolts. It incorporates elements from the original footbridge at Dumfries station, including a saltire design on the bridge parapet and curved detail on the bridge deck.

Open railings on the staircase and a sandstone cladding system on the lift towers have also been included to complement the station’s heritage features.

To learn more about the bridge work, contact Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. Updates can be found on Twitter, @NetworkRailScot.

Download article