Access improvements at Warwick station delayed by unexpected foundations

Engineers digging lift shafts at Warwick station have encountered unexpected buried foundations

The discovery of unknown foundations below Warwick station has forced Network Rail engineers to rethink a project that is intended to provide step-free access to both platforms for the first time.

As part of that work, engineers were sinking lift shafts into the subway that runs under the tracks between the two platforms. However, work stopped when they found unexpected foundations believed to be from the first railway station built on the site in 1852, which lasted just 42 years before being destroyed by fire in 1894.

Those foundations weren’t recorded in the plans when the station was rebuilt 129 years ago. It now seems that the current building is constructed on top of the original station’s 1852 foundations, and those walls lie exactly where the lifts were due to go. As they integral to the existing building and platform, they can’t be disturbed.

With no footbridge, the subway is the only safe route for passengers moving between the platforms at Warwick station

This means new detailed designs now have to be drawn up for the lift shafts, pausing the building work for the time being. Because construction inside the subway is well underway, it will have to stay closed with the diversionary walking route staying in place for passengers. People are being urged to use this route correctly, with incidents of people trespassing across the tracks to get between platforms still causing safety concerns.

Andy Camp, Chiltern Railways commercial and customer strategy director, said: “We regret that works at Warwick station have been paused while the project team assess the foundations that have been discovered.

“On occasion, excavation projects can throw up surprises such as this, but we will be working at pace with industry partners to determine how long the delay will be and when we can restart the work to enhance Warwick station and install the lifts.”

Despite the pause to work, security and platform patrollers will be at the station to prevent people trespassing on the tracks and guide passengers to the correct diversionary route between platforms.

Platform 1 has been temporarily shortened during the work so it can take place safely while allowing trains to keep running. These changes mean that the number of trains calling at Warwick each day will be reduced by one, although those services continue to call at Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa.