New date set for Stowmarket rail station’s ‘revolutionary’ bridge with lifts

A new date has been set for when train users can access a town’s ‘revolutionary’ bridge at a Suffolk rail station — more than two years on since the plans were first announced.

Greater Anglia revealed plans for the new steel bridge at Stowmarket train station in June 2022 with works initially set to start by the end of 2023.

However, after significant delays to the project, Network Rail has confirmed the bridge is now set to open next year.

The bridge design, called AVA, includes ‘plug-and-play’ lifts which are expected to greatly improve accessibility at the station and reduce the installation time needed on site by more than half.

As the first of its kind to be installed in the UK, it is designed to be more attractive for passengers, easier to maintain than traditional bridges and as its made of stainless steel, it does not need to be painted and will be long-lasting.

Marek Dowejko, Greater Anglia’s Asset Programme Manager, said: “The station received funding in 2019 for accessibility improvements under the Government’s Access for All scheme as the only step-free way to cross the platforms currently is via the level crossing.

“Thanks to this revolutionary new style of bridge the scheme was affordable, and we have been able to use the Access for All funding efficiently and to the best outcome for passengers.

“We want everyone to be able to have a good journey with us and the plans for Stowmarket are going to make a big difference to people using the station.”

In an update, constructors and clients were given the chance to ‘try before they buy’ with a fully-functioning prototype of the bridge constructed in Kent.

However, questions remain as to why the plans were delayed for so long.

SuffolkNews inquired about the project in January, receiving a statement that Greater Anglia was working with Network Rail on the installation schedule and a similar response was given when we asked again at the start of August.