Warwick, UK – Network Rail will deliver a pre-fabricated lift shaft to Warwick station next week, marking a significant step in the site’s long-running accessibility upgrade. The concrete shaft, manufactured off-site, will be installed later this summer as part of a project that will give passengers step-free access to both platforms.
Overnight operation and car-park closure
To accommodate the 450-tonne mobile crane required for the delivery, Warwick station’s main car park will be closed from 05:00 on Tuesday 22 April until 10:00 on Wednesday 23 April. During this period:
- Vehicle access: Drop-off and pick-up will remain available at the top of Station Road until 17:00 on 22 April. After that, no vehicles will be admitted until the car park reopens on 23 April at 10:00.
- Pedestrian routes: Foot access via Station Road will remain open throughout.
- Alternative parking: Motorists should use Warwick Parkway station for services towards London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street.
Extra staff will be on site to guide passengers and ensure smooth journeys during the one-day closure.
Project scope and progress to date
Network Rail engineers began work in spring 2024 to install two new lifts serving Platforms 1 and 2. Key elements completed so far include:
- Excavation in the subway and concourse areas
- Installation of more than 50 piles across both platforms to support the lift structures
- Diversionary pedestrian routes while the subway remains closed for reconstruction
The station subway from the Platform 1 side is scheduled to reopen in early July. The entrance from Platform 2 will then be closed temporarily while engineers complete works on that side.
Stakeholder statements
Joe Flynn, Scheme Project Manager, Network Rail:
“The arrival of the lift shaft is an essential next step. We acknowledge the inconvenience caused by the overnight operation and thank passengers and local residents for their continued patience while we modernise Warwick station.”
Daniel Gillard, Area Manager (Warwickshire), Chiltern Railways:
“Our customers rely on safe, easy access to train services. This project will make Warwick station fully accessible for people with reduced mobility, families with pushchairs and anyone carrying heavy luggage.”
Next steps and community engagement
Network Rail and Chiltern Railways will host a further customer drop-in session at the station in the coming weeks. Project representatives will provide up-to-date information on construction progress and the anticipated completion schedule.
Why the upgrade matters
When the lifts are commissioned later this year, Warwick station will meet current Department for Transport standards for step-free access, improving journeys for:
- Passengers with mobility impairments
- Travellers using wheelchairs or mobility scooters
- Parents with prams and pushchairs
- Visitors carrying bulky or heavy items
The scheme aligns with the rail industry’s wider commitment to make the network more inclusive and to remove physical barriers to travel.
