Warwick station lift project progressing as lift shaft arrives

Passengers at Warwick Station will next week see the delivery of a pre-made lift shaft as part of the ongoing accessibility upgrades.

The concrete structure has been manufactured off-site ready to be craned into position at a later stage in the project this summer.

Network Rail and Chiltern Railways are advising passengers that during the special delivery the car park will temporarily be closed.

The complex overnight movement of the huge structure will see the car park shut for one day from 5am on Tuesday 22 April until 10am on Wednesday 23 April to allow access for a 450-tonne crane to deliver the lift.

Vehicular access for drop-off/pickup at the station will be available at the top of Station Road until 5pm on Tuesday 22 April. After this time, no further vehicular access will be possible until 10am on Wednesday 23 April.

Pedestrian access to the station via Station Road will be unaffected and passengers will be able to access train services as normal. Customers should use Warwick Parkway car park during the closure for journeys towards London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street.

Joe Flynn, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “The delivery of this lift shaft is an important next step for the scheme and we thank passengers for their patience while the car park is closed to allow us access.

“A lot of the hard work so far has been underground and in the subway area, but passengers will now start to see more work taking place around the platform and station building.

“We’re sorry for the disruption at the station but we’re really looking forward to getting these lifts installed so that station users can benefit from this major upgrade.”

Daniel Gillard, area manager (Warwickshire), at Chiltern Railways, said: “I would like to thank customers for their patience while the lift shaft is being delivered, which is crucial for the future upgrades to Warwick Station.

“Whilst the station car park is closed between 5am on Tuesday 22 May and 10am on Wednesday 23 May, if you drive to the station please use Warwick Parkway instead for onward travel.”

Network Rail engineers have been on-site at Warwick station since spring 2024 to install two new lifts which will help passengers with reduced mobility, families with prams and those carrying heavy luggage access platforms 1 and 2.

Over the past 12 months, engineers have been working in the subway and station building, excavating land and installing over 50 piles across both platforms in readiness to install the new lifts.

Another key part of the project is work to the station subway. It has been necessary for the subway to be closed while we have been working in this area, with a diversionary walking route in place.

Network Rail plan to reopen the subway from Platform 1 side at the beginning of July. The entrance from Platform 2 will then need to be temporarily closed while we continue our work on this side of the station.

Network Rail and Chiltern Railways will shortly hold another customer and stakeholder drop in at the station, where further information on the project and indicative completion dates for the project will be shared.

Network Rail is working with Chiltern Railways to minimise the disruption to passengers and the local community during the work. Extra staff will be on hand at the station on Tuesday to help guide and assist passengers.

Passengers should check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest journey information and travel advice.