Story Contracting and Network Rail worked through the evening on Saturday March 23rd to install the brand new 75-tonne fully accessible footbridge and tower lift at Uddingston Station.
This marks a major milestone in the South Lanarkshire station Access for All (AfA) scheme, which will increase accessibility for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles at the station, which serves passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line, one of the busiest lines in Europe.
Councillor Kenny McCreary, who represents Uddingston and Bothwell, said: “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.”
The existing bridge will remain in operation until it is removed in June with the new footbridge and lifts expected to be open shortly afterwards.
The total weight of the whole structure is 75-tonnes with the largest component – the bridge deck – weighing approximately 15-tonnes. Engineers used a 230-tonne crane and a 60-tonne crane to lift the superstructure into place.
