Construction begins on £7.9m station footbridge

Network Rail says future maintenance will be more cost-effective and efficient

Construction work has begun on a new £7.9m footbridge which will connect platforms at a railway station.

The bridge over the Midland Mainline at Harlington Station, Bedfordshire, will be completed by next spring and has been designed to last for more than a century, says Network Rail.

It will replace an older bridge which has recently shown signs of corrosion.

Most of the work would happen during the day, but some construction would take place at night in June which may cause disruption to the train timetable, Network Rail added.

The Midland Mainline will need to be closed while some of the work takes place

Harlington Station has had the same footbridge, with upgrades, since it was opened by the Midland Railway in 1868.

While the footbridge is being replaced, Network Rail said its teams would also deliver "crucial" upgrades to the station, which included works on the platform surfaces and yellow lines.

The lower section of Harlington Station's car park will be closed to accommodate construction facilities during the project.

Shak Munshi, a project manager for Network Rail, said: "This significant investment will provide passengers with a modern, reliable footbridge.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this work may cause to passengers' journeys and are grateful for their patience while this essential upgrade takes place."

Jenny Saunders, the customer services director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: "Harlington is a busy car park. So to help motorists, anyone with a monthly, quarterly or annual season ticket will be able to use the car parks at Leagrave and Luton stations at no additional cost."