Shotton railway station link bridge on track for January reopening

A link bridge between Shotton High and Low-level train station is likely to remain closed for another two months while work is carried out to replace steel handrails, timbers and slip resistant walk boards.

Initial work on the walkway began in January as part of Network Rail’s ‘Railway Upgrade Plan’ however the bridge has remained closed for over eight months forcing passengers to use a diversion route.

Commuters who usually use Shotton High-Level station (Wrexham/Bidston line) to access the Lower Level platform for trains to Chester and Holyhead line have to divert around the rear of The Central Hotel through the carpark and along Alexandra Street to access the Lower Level Platforms.

In March Network Rail said the initial programme had “escalated into a much more significant programme of work as the structure failed its annual assessment and requires strengthening.”

The hold up in completing the work centred on the need for new designs to be drawn up and approved by Network Rail.

Network Rail said: “Our current investigation revealed that repairs need to be made to the steelwork.

Due to this we now have to extend our planned closure of the bridge to enable us to complete structural repairs to ensure the safety of passengers using this structure.”

The work is scheduled to be completed by 17th January 2019.