Railway engineers are making final preparations ahead of major accessibility improvements for passengers at Warwick station.

A multi-million-pound investment by Network Rail will see two new lifts installed in the existing subway as part of the Government’s Access for All scheme.

They will provide step-free access for passengers using platforms 1 and 2 for the first time.

This will help people with reduced mobility, families with prams and those carrying heavy luggage.

Work will start in January 2023 and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

For the engineers to install the lifts, the subway between platforms 1 and 2 will be closed from Friday 3 March.

This means a six-minute diversionary route will be in place for passengers moving between platforms.

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From Monday 25 February, platform 1 will also be shortened so that work can take place safely while allowing trains to keep running.

However this will see one less train a day calling at Warwick - though those services will continue to call at Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa.

Some facilities at the station will also temporarily change while the important station upgrade takes place:

• A compound for engineers will be set up in the station car park, taking several parking spaces out of use

• The station's customer toilets will also be temporarily relocated.

Elinor Weymouth, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: "W'’re looking forward to getting started on this important project for passengers in Warwick which will see step-free access between platforms 1 and 2 for the first time.

"There will be some local disruption during the multi-million-pound upgrade which is why we’ll be at the station to answer any questions local people may have over the next couple of weeks. I'd urge anyone living or working nearby to come along so we can explain in person how this important work is making journeys better for passengers."

Network Rail is working closely with Chiltern Railways to cause the least possible disruption to passengers and the local community while work takes places throughout 2023.