Network Rail has stopped work on Warwick station’s accessibility upgrade after unexpectedly discovering the foundations of the original station. Engineers are now urgently redesigning the work, drawing up detailed new designs for the lift shafts.

Workers were installing new lift shafts down to the station’s subway in order to provide step-free access to both platforms for the first time.

However, they found foundations believed to be from the first railway station built on the site in the Victorian era. The foundation walls are located where the lift shafts were due to be installed, and can not disturbed as they are integral to the existing building and platform.

The original station was built in 1852, as one of the original stations on the broad gauge route between Oxford and Birmingham. However, only forty-two years later, it was largely destroyed by fire.

When the station was rebuilt, the original foundations were not recorded in the plans, so today’s engineers were not aware that they current station building is constructed on top of the original station’s foundations.

Building work in the subway is already well underway, so it will have to remain closed even while the lift work is paused.

The diversionary walking route remains in place, and Network Rail is urging people to use the route correctly, as it is concerned about incidents of people trespassing across the tracks to get between platforms. Security and platform patrols will help to prevent people trespassing on the tracks and guide passengers to the correct diversionary route between platforms.

Network Rail has apologised to passengers and local people for the unexpected delay.

Platform 1 has been temporarily shortened during the work so it can take place safely while allowing trains to keep running. This means one less train a day calling at Warwick – though those services continue to call at Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa. The trains that will not call at Warwick are:

• Monday – Friday: 09:30 to Birmingham Snow Hill
• Saturday: 19:29 to Birmingham Snow Hill
• Sunday: 20:03 to Birmingham Snow Hill

Passengers are advised to check their journey during the work at Warwick station by using the national rail website.

Elinor Weymouth, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We know how much the accessibility upgrades mean to people in Warwick and we’re sorry this unexpected setback means the building work has to be paused.

“We are committed to delivering this vital work so the station is accessible for everyone, and are working hard to get new plans drawn up and workers back on site as soon as we possibly can.

“I want to thank passengers for their patience while this work goes on behind the scenes and urge everyone to continue to follow the walking diversion that’s in place while the subway is closed.”

Andy Camp, Chiltern Railways commercial & customer strategy director, said: “We regret that works at Warwick station have been paused while the project team assess the foundations that have been discovered.

“On occasion, excavation projects can throw up surprises such as this, but we will be working at pace with industry partners to determine how long the delay will be and when we can restart the work to enhance Warwick station and install the lifts.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience, and remind them that even though works are paused, the diversionary route between platforms remains very much in place.”