Twyford Station - new footbridge and lifts

[whole diary]

[BBM]

[Twyford

New passenger footbridge with lifts.  Ground surveys have been completed, and the foundations have been marked out.  Work scheduled to start after the Henley regatta and complete for Christmas.  Just need a few engineering posessions to paint the canopies afterwards!

I noticed this morning that work has started on the construction of a new footbridge at the Reading end of the platforms. However as it's quite some distance from the main station buildings I wonder if this will be a temporary structure and that the existing footbridge will be completely rebuilt?

[IndustryInsider]

[Twyford

New passenger footbridge with lifts.  Ground surveys have been completed, and the foundations have been marked out.  Work scheduled to start after the Henley regatta and complete for Christmas.  Just need a few engineering posessions to paint the canopies afterwards!

I noticed this morning that work has started on the construction of a new footbridge at the Reading end of the platforms. However as it's quite some distance from the main station buildings I wonder if this will be a temporary structure and that the existing footbridge will be completely rebuilt?

Yes, that's a temporary structure to keep the punters well out of the way of the construction phase of the new all-singing, all-dancing footbridge.

[IndustryInsider]

After several months of removing the old footbridge and replacing it with a new structure, the new lifts at Twyford are now open for passenger use. This makes all platforms fully accessible to disabled passengers for the first time. The new bridge is a couple of feet higher than the old one, making it suitable for higher freight vehicles to pass under it, as well as aiding the future electrification of the line.

[Btline]

I would hope that any new non Southern structures would be built ready for overhead wires.

Then again, if the extra inches cost extra money....

[willc]

Hasn't it been policy since way back in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days that any new bridges should allow for overhead wiring?

The former 1970s Moreton-in-Marsh footbridge certainly had room for 25kv wires under it.

[IndustryInsider]

Hasn't it been policy since way back in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days that any new bridges should allow for overhead wiring?

I think it has, yes. I just mentioned it as it is quite relevant given the recent electrification announcement which will of course include Twyford. The acceptance of W10 size freight wagons is probably more important in the long run - I wonder if any electrification modifications on other structures will lead to two birds being killed by one stone and W10 clearance achieved on the whole route from Acton to Reading?

[JayMac]

Hasn't it been policy since way back in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days that any new bridges should allow for overhead wiring?

I think it has, yes. I just mentioned it as it is quite relevant given the recent electrification announcement which will of course include Twyford. The acceptance of W10 size freight wagons is probably more important in the long run - I wonder if any electrification modifications on other structures will lead to two birds being killed by one stone and W10 clearance achieved on the whole route from Acton to Reading?

From Wikipedia under the heading 'loading gauge':-

"A strategy was adopted in 2004 to guide enhancements of loading gauges and in 2007 the Network Rail Freight Route Utilisation Strategy was published which identified a number of key routes where the loading gauge should be cleared to W10 standard and that where structures are being renewed that W12 is the preferred standard."

So there is a policy in place when it comes to renewing structures, with the slightly wider (same height) W12 loading gauge prefered.

[paul7575]

I would hope that any new non Southern structures would be built ready for overhead wires.

Amazingly enough, the new footbridges at Fratton, Fareham and Southampton Parkway probably are high enough for OHLE^▸ (Over-Head Line Equipment (electrification via catenary)) as well. They are definitely significantly higher than the earlier bridges, which remain in place at all three stations (so far)...

Paul

[IndustryInsider]

Took a look at Twyford late yesterday evening and all the hoarding has been removed and finishing touches to the paintwork completed. I know it's a bit sad to get excited about a new footbridge, but it really did look good!

One disappointing aspect was the lift though - looking all new and swish and welcoming, yet not working. I'm pretty sure it had been switched off for safety reasons as it was so late the platform staff would have gone home, but there was no indication of this. Surely the scrolling LED message constantly repeating 'Platforms 2&3' could display 'Sorry - lift out of use' when it's switched off?

I know it's a minor point, but it's attention to detail like that which still hinders FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s in general.

[BBM]

One other problem with the new footbridge is that whenever it rains water leaks through the roof and down the set of stairs leading to the forecourt and platform 4 making the steps very slippery. Hopefully it'll be fixed soon!

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Great Western Railway press release:

Theresa May welcomes improved station access at Twyford

Twyford Station lifts will now be open 24 hours a day to improve accessibility at the station after the successful trial of a remote monitoring system.

Previously only in operation during station opening hours, the lifts will now be available to use 24 hours a day.

Rt Hon Theresa May MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) for Maidenhead visited the station on Friday 11 March to officially mark the improvement.

Mrs May said: ^I am delighted that the lifts at Twyford Station will now be open for 24 hours a day. This is great news for disabled passengers and those who rely on the lifts to access the platforms. It is important to ensure that we do everything possible to make public transport as accessible as possible for everyone in the community and I welcome GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)^s announcement.^

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: ^GWR prides itself on putting our customers first and supporting the communities we serve. We recognise the key role that rail travel has in supporting the local and national economy and we are delighted to be able to mark these improvements, further increasing accessibility here at Twyford.^