Work begins to replace St Erth's iconic Victorian footbridge

Work to replace an iconic Victorian footbridge has begun. Network Rail’s project to build a new accessible footbridge at St Erth station in West Cornwall has reached a milestone with the installation of two lift shafts. The shafts, weighing 12 and 10 tonnes each, were lifted into place by a 350-tonne crane.

Previously we reported how the project has been described as a "modern monstrosity" as locals were afraid the previous bridge would be replaced with a "terrible modern structure". Now, alongside the lift shafts, two steel supports for the footbridge have also been installed. The work was carried out by Network Rail’s contractor, BAM Nuttall, on a Saturday night after trains had stopped running, avoiding disruption for passengers.

When complete this winter, the grade II-listed station will become fully accessible for the first time since it was built in 1852. The next major stage of work will see the bridge deck lifted into place and the current footbridge carefully dismantled and rebuilt at Cranmore station on the East Somerset Railway.

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The work, part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme, continues Network Rail’s investment on the iconic St Ives branch line, which carries a million passengers a year, supporting tourism and businesses in the area.

Alina Wolfe Murray, Network Rail senior sponsor, said: “It’s exciting to see a major stage of the project successfully completed and we’d like to thank local residents and passengers for their patience. We have planned our work to cause as little disruption as possible, especially during the busy summer months.

“When complete, more people than ever will be able to use the railway and passengers will be able to get around St Erth station much more easily.”

Scroll down to see the shafts being set in place: