Work to complete a new railway station for Buckshaw Village moved a step closer at the weekend when a footbridge to link the two platforms was lifted into place.
In the early hours of Sunday morning (10 July 2011) the 24-metre pedestrian footbridge was hoisted into position by crane marking a key milestone in the development of Buckshaw Parkway.
Work on site has been progressing since earlier in the year but the installation of the footbridge is the most visible element so far bringing the opening one step closer.
Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Leader of Chorley Council, said: “This is a key milestone of the Buckshaw Parkway development and it’s good to see work progressing well.
“A lot of the work so far has been underground but as we start to see the larger structures being put in place it will show people that we are getting closer to the station being completed.”
The station is a joint venture between Chorley Council, Lancashire County Council, Network Rail and rail operators Northern.
It had always been an important part of the vision for Buckshaw Village which has been built on the site of the 395-acre former Royal Ordnance factory at Euxton.
County Councillor Tim Ashton, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, added: “This station is a vital part of the Buckshaw Village development and will provide a direct rail link between Buckshaw and major cities across the North West.
“It’s always an exciting time when ideas on paper start to become a reality and it’s great to see the development taking shape.”
The construction of Buckshaw Parkway including a 150-metre long platform, 200 car parking spaces with bus and taxi drop-off points, a fully accessible station building and steel footbridge with lifts started in the winter.
Network Rail route director Jo Kaye, said: “The installation of the bridge went to plan and we will now be concentrating on things such as platform surfacing and fitting out the station building.”
The two platform station, on the same Manchester to Preston line as Chorley station, is expected to accommodate 450,000 passengers a year and will be operated by Northern Rail.
The station is expected to open as planned in the autumn.
