Stowmarket Station to Receive UK’s First AVA Bridge with Lifts

A railway station in Suffolk is poised to become the first in the country to feature an accessible “AVA” bridge, which will include fully operational lifts. Currently, the site at Stowmarket lacks lifts, and the only way for passengers to cross platforms without using stairs is via a level crossing. This new £5.5 million footbridge, equipped with integrated lifts, is slated for construction there. Greater Anglia announced that funding for these accessibility improvements at the station has been secured through the government’s Access for All scheme. The rail firm also noted that the AVA footbridge utilizes a modular design, involving large sections manufactured off-site that can be assembled on-site in relatively shorter timeframes. Greater Anglia further stated that the existing concrete bridge will be removed, and a temporary one will be installed over the weekend of January 11-12. The new structure, constructed from stainless steel, has been engineered for durability and does not require painting. Marek Dowejko, Greater Anglia’s asset programme manager, commented: “Thanks to this revolutionary new style of bridge the scheme was affordable, and we have been able to use the Access for All funding efficiently and to the best outcome for passengers. The plans are going to make a big difference to people using the station.” Chris Wise, the lead designer and structural engineer for the AVA footbridge, remarked that it demonstrated “through its lean design, low carbon form, how the industry can evolve, not just in bridges and lifts.” The completion of the new bridge is anticipated by summer 2025.