Work has commenced to build a footbridge over the railway at Lostwithiel station in Cornwall for the first time in more than 50 years.

A temporary bridge is being built to improve access and safety and will bring benefits to the community as quickly as possible while plans for a permanent bridge are progressed.

When completed later this month, pedestrians will no longer have to use the level crossing on Grenville Road, where barriers can be lowered for up to 22 minutes an hour to protect the public from the Cornish main line.

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The new bridge will allow passengers to freely and safely cross the railway and access platforms one and two.

The old footbridge at Lostwithiel was removed in the late 1960s and the only other railway crossing in the town is the A390 Liddicoat Road, north of the station.

Network Rail industry programme director Bogdan Lupu said: "We've been working hard for a long time to bring a railway bridge back to Lostwithiel and we’re very pleased to get work under way.

"Not only will the temporary bridge improve access but it will make crossing the railway much safer for everyone and prevent the level crossing from being misused."