A set of two new lifts have been installed at Warwick station, connecting to the station’s subway and providing step-free access between platforms 1 and 2.
The new lifts, which have been installed by both Network Rail and contractor Murphy, were opened to passengers on 10 October.
Installed as part of the station’s Access for All scheme, Work first began on the installation of the lifts in 2023, but was halted due to the discovery of ‘unexpected building foundations’, which are believed to be remnants of when the first station was built in 1852. This lead to a redesign effort in order to ensure the accommodation of the new lifts.
Additionally, the station and subway themselves have also been upgraded with new and improved handrails, as well as better lighting.
Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail Central route, said:Installing lifts at Victorian stations is complex and challenging but the railway should be accessible by all, which is why upgrades like this are so important for passengers and local communities.
Access for All schemes, like these new lifts at Warwick, are helping to make rail journeys easier for everyone, meaning more people can travel by train more often.
This upgrade has taken some time, and I thank passengers and local residents for their patience while the work took place.
The redesign involved the driving of 56 piles into the ground to a depth of 17 metres, as well as the digging out of a large amount of earth in order to stabilise underground conditions.
