As part of the investment to make Chalkwell station step-free, customers will start to see changes to walking routes to access the platforms from the ticket hall in preparation for the removal of the existing station footbridge.
The Network Rail and c2c teams, now integrated under the GBR Anglia banner, are working together as one team to make the station step free. The ‘access for all’ project has reached a crucial moment when the installation of a temporary footbridge will begin to allow the station to remain open with access to both platforms.
The station improvements requires the removal of the existing station footbridge to make way for the new lift shafts and footbridge foundations. To keep the station open and to maintain access to the London-bound services on platform 1, a temporary footbridge is being installed between the two platforms. The temporary footbridge will consist of three flights, each separated by a level landing area. Handrails and lighting will also be provided to support customers using the temporary route.
To install the temporary footbridge, Chalkwell station will be closed to all customers on the following two weekends while engineers construct the temporary footbridge across the railway:
- Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June
- Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June
Rail customers are being advised that a rail replacement bus service will be in place between Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness on these weekends and to allow extra time to complete your journey.
The road in front of the station (The Ridgeway) will need to be temporarily closed from 2300hrs on Wednesday 17 June to 0600hrs on Wednesday 24 June to facilitate the delivery of the materials to build the temporary footbridge. A short diversion route will be in place during this time.
Once the temporary footbridge is in place, access to the existing station footbridge will be closed and customers will be rerouted through the station via a temporary ramp structure between the ticket hall and Platform 2. Customers can then use the temporary footbridge located midway along the platform to reach platform 1.
The intention is to open the temporary footbridge on Monday 22 June and close the existing station footbridge access, rerouting anyone needing to use London-bound services via the temporary footbridge.
Joe Kennedy, infrastructure director for GBR Anglia said: “We’d like to thank passengers and the local community for their patience while we continue our work to improve accessibility at Chalkwell station.
“The temporary footbridge and new walking route will help us keep customers moving through the station while we carry out the next phase of the project safely.
“This is one of the enabling stages needed to create space for the new lifts and replacement footbridge, so passengers may start to see more visible changes at the station as the project moves forward.”
Image credit: Network Rail
