Work to improve accessibility at Abergavenny railway station in Monmouthshire has taken a major step forward with the successful installation of the main span, stairs and lift shafts for a new footbridge.

For the last three weekends, the Marches Line between Newport and Shrewsbury through Abergavenny was closed so that a range of essential work could be carried out on the footbridge including installation of the main span, stairs, and lift shafts.

Their installation was successfully completed by Network Rail working with its contractor Centregreat.

The line between Newport and Shrewsbury was reopened as scheduled yesterday morning Monday, 23 September, after the third of three weekend closures and normal services have now resumed.

There is still work to do on the footbridge, and in the coming months, engineers will be installing glazing on the bridge, fitting cladding to the lift shafts, and the mechanical and electrical installations.

Once the new footbridge is open and all accessibility improvements have been completed, all passengers at Abergavenny, including those with limited mobility, carrying heavy luggage, or those with pushchairs, will have step-free access between the two platforms for the first time.

Accessibility improvements to stations on the Wales and Borders route are being funded by the Department for Transport as part of the UK Government’s Access for All programme.

As well as at Abergavenny, work on an accessible footbridge is in progress at neighbouring Cwmbran and a lift is being added to the existing footbridge at Ludlow.

Elsewhere in Wales, work is continuing on accessible footbridges at Newtown, Flint and Llanelli.

“We have made excellent progress at Abergavenny over the past few weeks, as any passengers using or passing through the station will have seen.
“All three weekends have been an intense period of activity utilising two large cranes. The main span is now in place for the bridge that will provide step-free access between platforms 1 and 2 when it is completed in spring 2025.
“We would like to thank all passengers and residents for their patience and understanding while we carry out these essential works for the project.”

Dan Parkes, Network Rail Capital Delivery principal portfolio manager