Yesterday, Wednesday 30th June, Network Rail was presented with a National Railway Heritage Award, along with Story Contracting, and Transport Scotland, for their work to refurbish the footbridge at Stirling station and install lifts.

The award was given to Network Rail back in December 2020 at a virtual ceremony, but the presentation of the award has now taken place.

In the £4m investment, the original lattice footbridge was removed and underwent refurbishment before being installed back in May 2019 along with a new lift to create step-free access at the station.

The work at Stirling was part of the bigger project to electrify the Stirling – Dunblane – Alloa route.

The NRHA awards look to encourage the best practices in restoration work.

Network Rail says that Stirling Station Footbridge was awarded this top accolade under the London Underground Operational Enhancement Award category.

Alastair Macfarlane, head of engineering and asset management at Network Rail, said: “We are delighted to win this award which recognised the hard work the team put into preserving this important heritage structure, while making the station fit for purpose for all our passengers to use.

“Scotland’s Railway is for everyone and our stations are the gateway to the rail network.  It is important that they are not only welcoming and friendly but also that they don’t present any physical barriers to those seeking to travel by train.

“Making more stations step-free and improving accessibility is just one way we are building the best railway Scotland has ever had.”

Theo Steel, National Railway Heritage Awards chairman, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see the progress at Stirling station and to join the team today to recognise the outstanding work that has been undertaken here.”