The passenger footbridge at Furness Vale railway station in Derbyshire has reopened this week after being closed for refurbishment.

The Victorian railway footbridge has been refurbished by Network Rail with a £450,000 investment.

Part of the Great North Rail Project, the work has seen the bridge strengthen and fully repainted and is now back to its Victorian-splendour.

Furness Vale is on the line between Manchester and Buxton and the work involved removing the bridge offsite for the 12 weeks of repairs and restoration.

Using a 90-tonne crane, the seven-tonne bridge was removed during work which began in December 2020 in overnight shifts when trains were not running.

Ian Cockle, project manager for Network Rail, said: “It’s really important for Network Rail to protect and conserve heritage structures on the railway network – like the footbridge at Furness Vale station – which give historic stations their unique charm and character.”

“The vital Great North Rail Project investment now means the railway crossing will be safer and more reliable for passengers for generations to come.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “It’s fantastic that, in partnership with Network Rail, we are able to provide our customers with modern facilities without losing our proud railway heritage.”

“The refurbished bridge is testament to the commitment of all in the rail industry to build for the future while respecting the past, and I’m delighted that our customers will be able to benefit from this painstaking work.”

Where Next?

RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
NETWORK RAIL
Visit their website