Prudhoe Matters

Update 26th May 2020

From Network rail- ** we will be providing additional information if & when we receive it *

The refurbishment work is starting on 8 June, from which point the footbridge will be closed to the public. Generally there will be a focus on carrying out work between 07:00 and 18:00 – so through the daytime – but overnight work will be needed between 16 June and 20 June when the bridge will be lifted out in sections.

Thereafter work will take place off site between 21 June and 8 August, with no work at the station during this period. The refurbished structure will then be lifted back into place in late August/early September, with the footbridge currently expected to reopen on 6 September. During the work passenger access to both platforms at Prudhoe station will be via the pedestrian footpath over the level crossing.

As we will be using a variety of equipment including cranes, construction plant and various power tools and equipment we are writing to residents living close to the station to provide advance notice of the work so they are aware of it.

This will also confirm that the work is being delivered in accordance with the UK Government and NHS advice relating to COVID-19.

Update March 2020

As per Network rail.

Initially please accept my apologies for the delay in us completing this work. I appreciate how important it is for local passengers that the bridge is improved.

I’ve checked with our team who are delivering the improvements on the structure and we are expecting work to start in June. After our compound is set-up we will have two nights of work to remove the bridge. This will be in mid-June and will involve craning the bridge out of its current location at a time when the railway is closed.

The bridge will then be removed from site, after it has been lifted out in sections, for our refurbishment work to take place off site. We will finish this work in August and will then put the bridge back in place using a similar process.

In advance of the project starting we will be carrying out wide-ranging communications to notify local residents and working with Northern to provide advance notice for passengers. I’ve asked the team to make sure that when we start on site we complete the work as quickly as we can, and limit the disruption to passengers as much as possible.

I understand the length of time passengers in Prudhoe have been waiting for this work to start so hope that confirmation this work is scheduled to start in early summer is welcome.

Previous Update from Network rail 2019.

Following our meeting with senior NR representatives and subsequent discussions / requests for improvements to the bridge.

Network rail have confirmed that they will repaint the bridge this year.