THE SUBWAY at Warwick Station will be closed for at least six months as work to install two lifts continues.
Rail passengers will have to take a diversion route between the two platforms as improvement works to provide passengers with step-free access to trains at the station enters the next phase.
A multi-million-pound investment will see two new lifts installed as part of the Government’s Access for All scheme. They will help passengers with reduced mobility, families with prams and those carrying heavy luggage to access platforms 1 and 2 without using any steps for the first time.
Engineers have been on site since spring this year working on platforms, clearing vegetation, surveying the land and buildings and moving utility services ready for the lifts to be installed.
Attention now turns to work in and around the subway which connects the two platforms, which means it will be closed for a minimum of six months.
The work, which will take place during the day and overnight, will include dismantling parts of the station building and roof, removing the existing subway stairs and installing the lift shaft bases. A new staircase will then be installed and the station building and roof rebuilt.
The subway closure means a diversionary route of six to eight minutes will be in place to connect both platforms which will be clearly signposted from the station.
Joe Flynn, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “This is an important next phase of our work to provide passengers with step-free access between platforms 1 and 2 at Warwick station.
“We have to close the subway to carry out his work, but it’s been planned to be completed as safely and quickly as possible. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused and urge passengers to follow the clearly signed diversionary route.”
