Network Rail update on progress of Northwich Station rebuild …
Work began to repair the station earlier this year – more than 20 months after a wall and part of the roof collapsed[1] onto a platform and the track on May 18, 2021.
An investigation into the incident, being carried out by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), remains ongoing.
Once work to the exterior of the building is finished, Network Rail will begin the interior work, with design discussions currently taking place with Northern, which manages the day to day running of the station.
Chris Pye, Network Rail’s North West route infrastructure director, said: "We thank passengers for their continued patience during the rebuilding work at Northwich Station.
"The exterior work is due to be complete by the end of January 2024, after which attention will turn to fitting out the building’s interior.
The damage at Northwich Station in May 2021 (Image: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service)
"We’re currently working with Northern, which manages the day to day running of the station, on the most suitable design for its operations.
"Once this has been decided and plans are finalised, we’ll be able to communicate when the new space is due to reopen again for passengers."
Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury and Cheshire West and Chester councillor Andrew Cooper, who have both campaigned to make the station more accessible, have been left frustrated by the length of time the rebuild is taking.
Mr Amesbury, the Shadow Minister for building safety and homelessness, said: "It’s disappointing how long the rebuild of Northwich Railway Station is taking as I had originally understood the structural work would be completed in August.
Repairs are progressing at the station (Image: Supplied)
"By the time it reopens, passengers will have been without a waiting room for not far short of three years since that part of the station collapsed."
Raising the issue with Huw Merriman, the Minister of State (Department of Transport), Mr Amesbury was told 'some of the scope of the work is outside of Network Rail ownership and the company is liaising with ArchCo and the local authority to plan the work needed'.
Mr Amesbury added: “I put the case to Government that this rebuild was an opportunity to improve accessibility to the far platform at the same time.
"However, this plea fell on deaf ears so disabled people and those with restricted mobility will still only be able to travel in one direction.
"An Access for All bid was submitted to the Department for Transport in another attempt to fund the structural adaptations needed and the outcome had been expected at the end of October.
The front of the station building (Image: Supplied)
"However, that date has passed and there is no revised date as yet."
Cllr Cooper, who represents Leftwich, added: "It is frustrating how long passengers have had to wait for Northwich Station to be fit for purpose.
"As well as the rebuild project, which is still ongoing more than two and a half years on from the initial building collapse, we’ve been without a disabled-accessible way of getting to the Chester-bound platform for more than 10 years.
"The decision as to whether to fund our Access for All bid is more than eight months overdue.
"Hopefully the new year will bring good news with the station re-opening and – finally – the Government committing to bring dignity for disabled rail travellers from Northwich."
Northern have confirmed a staffed ticket office will once again be part of the station facilities, with the expectation it will have the same or similar hours of operation to previously.
The ORR confirmed the investigation into the collapse was nearing completion, but could provide further details or timescales due to disclosure rules.
References
- ^ more than 20 months after a wall and part of the roof collapsed (www.northwichguardian.co.uk)