Funding for the car park extension at Kidsgrove Station could be lost and work on the new lifts and footbridge have been delayed due to the discovery of old mines.
Work started in November and was due to be completed late spring 2019 but the project has now stalled and funding could be lost.
The £5 million project, which includes work to expand the station car park due to increased numbers of rail users, and the vital upgrade to install three new lifts at either side of platforms 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as a brand new footbridge linking the platforms, was underway to transform the way passengers with all mobility needs use the station.
Whilst some works are still progressing on site for the new ‘Access for All’ funded bridge, unforeseen problems from historic mine shafts means work on some Platforms has had to temporarily stop.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We’re sorry for the delay on the multi-million-pound project to make Kidsgrove station accessible for everyone. Whilst some work is still progressing on site, unforeseen problems underground from historic mine shafts means work in some areas has had to temporarily stop.
“A full survey now needs to take place to understand the problems underground before that work can safely resume.
“The underlying ground conditions along with design issues have also delayed work on expanding the station car park, and this delay has resulted in some Network Rail funding, which was time-bound to March 31, being lost.
“We understand the frustration to station-users at Kidsgrove who were looking forward to these much-needed improvements. We are working hard to restore this project and get it delivered.”
A full survey now needs to take place to understand the issues before that work can safely resume. Following these surveys we will be able to re-programme the works and advise when the bridge will be installed.
The underlying ground conditions, along with design issues, have also delayed work on expanding the station car park, and this delay has resulted in some Network Rail funding, which was time-bound to March 31, being lost. Network Rail is now currently working hard to secure additional funding for the car park works.
The length of the delay is yet unclear, Network Rail says it is working to secure new funding for the car park expansion under the current five-year budget period, which started on April 1.
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