Dumfries Access for All

Project Updates

• Project to provide step-free access at Dumfries station announced

  Time: 7.00 | Date: 06-06-23

  Work on a project to improve accessibility at Dumfries station has been announced.

  The project will see Network Rail, working with principal contractor STORY, install a new footbridge with lifts. It has been designed to make it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children or cycles to access the platforms.

  Preparatory work on this ‘Access for All’ (AfA) scheme has already begun with the construction of the bridge expected to begin in Autumn 2023. Installation of the bridge is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2024.

  Watch the flythrough video of the proposed design here.

• Dumfries Community Drop-In

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 15-06-23

  The people of Dumfries will get the first chance to see the proposed plans for accessibility improvements within Dumfries station.

  Network Rail is inviting the local community and any interested parties along to a community drop-in event at Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries between 4.00pm and 7.00pm on Thursday 15 June to see the finalised plans ahead of it being submitted for planning approval.

  Network Rail has worked with their architects and a number of stakeholders to produce the design which introduces a new footbridge with lifts to provide step-free access across both platforms.
  

  The concept takes into consideration the look and feel of the historic station whilst allowing for modern adaptations.
  

• Listed Building Consent Application Approved

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 22-09-23

  Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Planning Applications Committee has approved Listed Building Consent for access improvements to Dumfries station.

  Plans will see the construction of a new footbridge with lifts allowing step-free access to both station platforms.

  The application for listed building consent was submitted in June following an engagement event with the community to showcase the proposed designs.

  Dumfries station is a category B listed building, and the designs were developed to be sympathetic to the look and feel of its historic character.

  Following a consultation response from Historic Environment Scotland, the original design has been slightly updated to take their recommendations on board. A gentle curve to the bridge has been introduced by lifting the deck 200mm in the middle and the lift towers will now have a mid-grey cladding panel which is slightly darker than the original colour.

  To better accommodate motorised scooters the internal dimensions of the lift tower have been changed to make them less square.

  Works are due to commence in late October with the completion of the works in Summer 2024.

• Works Commence

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 23-10-23

  Scotland’s Railway will begin construction work to provide step-free access between platforms at Dumfries station.

  Work will start on Monday 30 October and will run until the completion of the project in summer next year.

  The existing footbridge will be removed and replaced with a new accessible bridge with lifts to platforms 1 and 2.

  As part of the project, the existing footbridge will close to the public from Monday 20 November before the new bridge is installed in spring 2024.

  Train services will continue to operate as normal through the station but there will be some temporary changes to access during construction.

  The works are being carried out to make it easier for those with limited mobility or travelling with children, luggage or cycles to move between the platforms.

  Throughout the project, space within the platform 1 car park will be restricted. There will also be some temporary changes to access on the platform 2 car park during the bridge removal and installation phase.

  Watch the video here.

• Existing Footbridge To Close

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 13-12-23

  Dumfries station footbridge will permanently close after the last train through the station on Friday night (December 15).

  The footbridge, which connects platforms one and two at the station, will be taken out of use as engineers prepare for its removal on Saturday night (December 16).

  It’s all part of the project to provide step-free access at the station, making it easier for those with limited mobility or travelling with children, luggage or cycles to move between the platforms.

  Train services will continue to operate as normal during the work and a diversion route along St Mary Street will be in operation to take passengers between the platforms at this time. Passengers should leave additional time for their journey to reflect this.

  Platform two’s car park will be closed from Wednesday, December 13 to enable preparatory work ahead of the removal of the bridge on Saturday night before it re-opens again on Monday, December 18.
  

  Watch the video here.

• Existing Footbridge Successfully Removed

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 19-12-23

  Dumfries station footbridge was successfully removed over the course of Saturday night (16 December).

  The footbridge, which connects platforms one and two at the station, was taken out of use on Saturday morning to allow engineers to prepare for its removal that evening.

  Engineers took just minutes to lift the bridge deck (middle part of bridge), weighing 21 tonnes, off before placing it on a trombone trailer, with the help of a 300-tonne crane.

  A team of engineers will dismantle the remaining columns and stairs over the course of this week.

  It’s all part of the ‘Access for All’ project to provide step-free access at the station, making it easier for those with limited mobility or travelling with children, luggage or cycles to move between the platforms.

  Train services will continue to operate as normal during the rest of the project, which is due for completion in Summer next year.

  During that time a diversionary route along St Mary Street will continue to be in operation to take passengers between the platforms. Passengers should leave additional time for their journey to reflect this.

  In the meantime, the bridge deck has been placed in storage while a suitable permanent home is found for it.

  Watch the video here.

• Scotland’s Railway welcome students from local school to site

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 30-04-24

  Pupils from Georgetown Primary school visited our site team to learn about the £3.6m Access for All scheme investment which aims to make it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to travel by train.

  

  Colleagues from Network Rail and principal contractor STORY shared their experience and knowledge about engineering and railway construction and introduced the youngsters to some of the tools used in the project including a total station which is a laser measuring device.

  

  Joanne Irving, Primary 5 class teacher at Georgetown Primary said: "P5 had a fantastic visit to Dumfries Railway Station to learn about the new footbridge being installed.

  “Amanda, Paul and Emma were very patient and answered all our questions (there were a lot of questions!) and ensured the visit was 'hands on' which pupils really enjoyed.

  “We have been learning about careers in STEM and Network Rail and STORY have definitely inspired P5 to explore careers in engineering!"

• Lift off for passengers at Dumfries station

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 13-08-24

  Passengers can now benefit from step-free access to both platforms at Dumfries station following the completion of the accessibility project.

  

  
  
  The new footbridge which includes a saltire design on the bridge parapet and curved detail on the bridge deck as a nod to the original structure replaced as part of the project, opened at the end of July.
  
  An event to mark the official opening of the footbridge and lift is being planned for the coming weeks.

• Project celebrates official opening

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 03-09-24

  Scotland’s Railway and local community members gathered to mark the official opening of Dumfries station’s brand-new footbridge and lifts on Tuesday (September 3).

  

  
  
  Representatives from the Network Rail project team who built the new infrastructure were joined by ScotRail’s station staff, Transport Scotland, members of the community and friends of the railway.

  They gathered under the canopy of the B-Listed station, which has been shortlisted for the National Rail Awards ‘medium-size station of the year’ 2024, to mark the occasion.