£1million scheme to enhance Chippenham station begins

Work has begun on a £1million scheme to make Chippenham station fully accessible from both sides of the railway, delivered by Great Western Railway on behalf of Wiltshire Council.

The work that will bring a third lift into use on the north side of the station – making the station fully accessible with step-free access to platforms from both sides of the railway – along with additional disabled car parking spaces, and more cycle parking facilities.

Part of the scheme will involve turning the staircase on the northern side of the footbridge, which also acts as a public right of way.

The public right of way via the footbridge will be temporarily closed to allow work to go ahead and will reopen in the spring. The alternative walking route for non-rail users will be via Union Road, New Road and Station Hill. The two station lifts and the stairs from the main entrance (south side) will remain open for rail users during the works.    

Passengers accessing the station from the north side will be able to use the station-only footbridge from the car park on the north side of the station, which will remain open throughout. The station-only footbridge has only steps.  

GWR Development Manager, Luke Chard, said:

“This is the next stage in our planned improvements for Chippenham station. It will mean a more welcoming, safer environment and a fully accessible station.

“Turning the staircase also means we will be able to create a safer entrance and exit for anyone using the public right of way, which will no longer feed straight on to the road.”

Wiltshire Council Member for Transport, Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, said:

“We are really pleased to see this improvement scheme start, especially as it complements the £1.98million package of transport measures already completed by the council to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to Chippenham railway station.

“Our aspiration is to have well-connected communities that enable local communities to live, work and play locally, so these continued improvements at the station fully supports this aim.”