Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Thameslink and Great Northern trains, and Network Rail have opened a new footbridge at Royston railway station.
The previous footbridge had to be closed in 2020 for safety reasons. The replacement is being opened in a phased way, with further work to install lifts to the structure set to complete in early 2024. Opening it now means station users will no longer have to use the bridge on Kneesworth Street to switch platforms, helping improve passenger experience.
Network Rail started work on the multi-million-pound project in November 2022 and, once fully complete, the new bridge will provide step-free access between platforms. This will make it much easier for those with limited mobility, families with pushchairs and travellers with heavy luggage to move around the station.
GTR has also built a new step-free route from the main station entrance to Platform 1, via the car park. This includes a 35-metre pavement with handrails and dropped kerbs with tactile paving.
Jenny Saunders, GTR’s Customer Services Director, said: “The new footbridge is great news for our customers. It’s a welcome milestone on this huge investment that will make the railway here easier to use for many people. These big projects, together with the smaller related improvements we’ve made, are crucial parts of our drive to create a more accessible and inclusive railway, where everyone has the confidence to travel no matter what their need for assistance.”
Jonny Ham, Lead Portfolio Manager for Network Rail, said: “It’s positive news for passengers that the new footbridge at Royston railway station has now been built, and that station users no longer have to exit and re-enter the station to move between platforms.
“There is still further work to do as we need to install lifts to the bridge. This has taken us longer than planned, and we’re sorry for the delay. We look forward to completing this work and opening up travel opportunities for more people.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
