Another station in Scotland has benefitted from the Government’s Access for All scheme, this time at Uddingston station in South Lanarkshire where a new footbridge and lift tower are being installed.

The initial steel framework for the new bridge was installed during an overnight closure of the West Coast Main Line last Saturday/Sunday, 23/24 March.

Two cranes were required to lift the steelwork for the bridge into place, one being a massive crane weighing 230 tonnes and the other weighing 60 tonnes.

Together, they were used to lift the new bridge into place; the total weight of the bridge is 75 tonnes with the bridge deck, which is its largest part, weighing approximately 15 tonnes.

Now that the steel framework has been installed, construction will continue on the remaining parts of the bridge and the lifts.

Until that work is completed, the old bridge will remain in place. It is hoped that the new bridge will be opened soon, with a planned date of June to remove the old footbridge.

The new bridge forms part of the Access for All scheme, which provides funds for improvements in accessibility to platforms at stations across the UK for people with impaired mobility, or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles.

Network Rail is in the process of providing Access for All at various stations in Scotland, including at Port Glasgow and at Cardonald.

Delivering a structure of this size onto the platform is a huge achievement. We’ve worked collaboratively with our principal contractor STORY while liaising with ScotRail, South Lanarkshire Council and British Transport Police to ensure this was done safely and on time.

Working through the night provides the safest environment for our teams to work in and the least disruption for passengers. We thank the public for their cooperation and understanding while the car park was closed to allow these crucial works. Thanks to successful planning and collaborative working, we were able to reopen the car park ahead of schedule.

There is still a lot to do before passengers will be able to use the footbridge and the lifts, but we hope everyone living nearby and using the station is pleased with the progress so far and is looking forward to the benefits of having a fully accessible station.

Susan Menmuir, Scheme Project Manager for Network Rail

I would like to compliment Network Rail and their partners on delivering the upgrades to Uddingston Station.

Throughout the work, they consulted with residents, local groups and elected members and their communication was first class. The work has been completed on schedule and will support those with mobility issues, with small children and those with luggage through installation of a lift to allow access to both platforms.

In addition, Network Rail and their contractors have been sympathetic to the expectations of the local horticultural group, Grow Uddingston, who make the station one of the prettiest in Scotland, especially in spring and summer when flowers are in full bloom.

Councillor Kenny McCreary, who represents Uddingston and Bothwell

Uddingston Community Council would like to congratulate Network Rail on meeting this important milestone and look forward to Network Rail and Grow Uddingston working together to bring the station back to being one of the prettiest in Scotland.

Michael Hart, on behalf of Uddginston Community Council