Starting next week, work will start on a £1million scheme to make Chippenham station in Wiltshire fully accessible from both sides of the railway.

Preparations started on Tuesday, 3rd January, at work to bring a third lift into use on the station’s north side. That will make the station fully accessible, with step-free access to the platforms from both sides of the railway. Additional disabled car parking spaces and cycle parking facilities are also to be provided.

To implement the scheme, part of the work will turn the staircase on the northern side of the footbridge, which is also a public right of way. To allow the work to proceed, a temporary closure will be put in place on the public right of way via the footbridge from Monday, 9th January until the spring. There is an alternative walking route for non-rail users via Union Road, New Road, and Station Hill.

Throughout the works, the two station lifts and stairs from the main entrance on the south side of the station will remain open for rail users. The station-only footbridge from the car park on the north side of the station will remain open throughout the works, but that footbridge only has steps and no step-free access.

The project is being delivered by Great Western Railway on behalf of Wiltshire Council.

GWR Development Manager, Luke Chard, said: “This is the next stage in our planned improvements for Chippenham station. It will mean a more welcoming, safer environment and a fully accessible station.

“Turning the staircase also means we will be able to create a safer entrance and exit for anyone using the public right of way, which will no longer feed straight onto the road.”

Wiltshire Council Member for Transport, Cllr Dr. Mark McClelland, said: “We are really pleased to see this improvement scheme start, especially as it complements the £1.98million package of transport measures already completed by the council to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to Chippenham railway station.

“Our aspiration is to have well-connected communities that enable local communities to live, work and play locally, so these continued improvements at the station fully supports this aim.”

Swindon and Wiltshire LEP Chief Executive, Paddy Bradley, said: “We’re excited to see another step towards completion of the Station Hub upgrade. This important work will help develop safe access to the station for all visitors and residents using Chippenham station.

“This very welcome project brings together the elements of the station improvements, ultimately assisting the long-term development of Chippenham and its economy.”

Network Rail‘s sponsor for the project, Alina Wolfe Murray, said: “This is a great example of partnership working across multiple organisations to improve access to the railway for our passengers.

“Turning the stairs to the north of the station will also allow for safer pedestrian access and an improved walking route for people using the public right of way over the railway line.

“We’d like to thank local residents and passengers for their patience while this work is completed and we’ll look to minimise any inconvenience where we can.”