Network Rail has successfully installed the main span of the new accessible footbridge at Cwmbran station in South Wales.

Construction continues on the brickwork and cladding of the elevator shafts, and the project’s next phase begins this week with the installation of elevators on both platforms.

Cwmbran is among the six stations on the Wales and Borders route that are being upgraded to step-free access, with funding provided by the Department for Transport under the UK Government’s Access for All programme.

“We’ve been busy at Cwmbran over the past few months and huge progress has been made here by our contractor, Centregreat.

“We had a 250-tonne crane on site, which lifted in four sections of the bridge, and we’ve now moved on to the next stage of the project, which is the cladding and brickwork of the lift shafts.

“The lift installation is scheduled to start next week as we head toward an autumn opening.

“The accessibility improvements we are making at Cwmbran mean all passengers – including those with limited mobility, those carrying heavy luggage or those with pushchairs – will have a step-free and accessible route between platforms 1 and 2.”

Network Rail Wales and Western principal portfolio manager Dan Parkes

Work on accessible footbridges is progressing at neighbouring Abergavenny, and also at Newtown, Flint, and Llanelli, while Ludlow station is set to have a lift installed on its existing footbridge.

Nationally, many other stations are also receiving similar treatment, as access to platforms and the way people cross between them, become more accessible to all.

Earlier this week a new type of fully accessible footbridge opened in North Yorkshire.