A pre-fabricated lift shaft is set to be craned into position at Warwick station next weekend, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing project to improve accessibility for passengers.

The steel structure, which was manufactured off-site and delivered last month, will be installed overnight on Saturday 7 June, using a 450-tonne crane to lift it over the tracks. The operation will take place after the final train has passed through and during a planned railway closure.

To ensure safety during the complex installation, Network Rail and Chiltern Railways have announced that the station car park will be closed for the duration of Saturday 7 June and until midday on Sunday 8 June. Pick-up and drop-off access will also be restricted from 5pm on Saturday until midday Sunday. However, pedestrian access to platforms will remain unaffected.

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Joe Flynn, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: "Due to the limited space on platform 2, we've had to be creative with how we install this lift shaft. After pre-building the lift shaft off-site, we're now carefully moving it over the tracks at night when the railway is closed.

"This is a major milestone for the scheme and we thank passengers for their patience while the car park is closed to allow us access.

"We're sorry for the disruption at the station but we're really looking forward to getting these lifts installed so that passengers can soon benefit from improved access to trains."

To keep the local community informed, project team members will hold a drop-in session on Thursday 29 May from 5pm to 6pm at the station to answer any questions.

The lift installation is part of a broader accessibility upgrade at Warwick station. Since spring 2024, Network Rail and its contractor have been on-site to install two new lifts that will help passengers with reduced mobility, families with prams, and those carrying heavy luggage to move more easily between platforms.

Over the past year, extensive preparatory work has taken place, including excavation and the installation of over 50 foundation piles across both platforms.

Work has also focused on upgrading the station subway. While construction has required the subway to close, a diversionary walking route has been in place. Network Rail plans to reopen the entrance from platform 1 in mid-June, after which the entrance from platform 2 will temporarily close to allow further work to continue.