Stowmarket railway station will see lifts installed within the bridges design to make the station more accessible for people with restricted mobility.

The Suffolk station was awarded funding in 2019 in a bid to improve accessibility as part of the Government’s Access for All scheme. The improvements at the station will be most welcome as the only step-free way to get from one platform to another is by using the level crossing.

The project will see the current concrete footbridge taken out and replaced using a brand new style of bridge, which is the very first of its kind in the UK.

The bridge’s modular steel design will make it both cheaper and faster to construct with the lifts will be built into the structure of the bridge and will bring a much easier way for customers to move between platforms.

Work is expected to start on the bridge towards to end of 2023.

Marek Dowejko, Greater Anglia‘s Asset Programme Manager, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to progress this improvement scheme to help people access the station more easily.

“Thanks to this revolutionary new style of bridge the scheme was affordable and we have been able to use the Access for All funding efficiently and to the best outcome for passengers.

“We’re looking forward to starting work next year.”

Rebecca Richardson, Greater Anglia’s Accessibility Manager, said:

“We want everyone to be able to have a good journey with us and the plans for Stowmarket are going to make a big difference to people using the station.

“Along with the enhanced accessibility features of our new fleet of trains, this Access For All scheme means that we are really starting to transform rail travel for people with disabilities and other accessibility needs, making it much easier for them to travel, and we will continue to support our communities with their aspirations for improvements at other stations too.”