A £1 million scheme to make a Wiltshire train station fully accessible is due to be completed in the coming weeks.

Work on the six-figure project to bring a third lift into use at Chippenham train station, the first on the north side of the platforms, began back in January and saw the closure of the pedestrian footbridge over the railway line.

The footbridge, which acts as a public right of way from Station Hill and Cocklebury Road to Union Road and Old Road, reopened last week but work on the third lift remains ongoing.

Network Rail, who are carrying out the renovation works on behalf of Great Western Railway, have now confirmed engineers will be at the station next week to carry out the work necessary to bring the lift into use.

The lift will then operate in test mode for two weeks before officially opening and signalling the completion of the project.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The new lift

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Work on the footbridge was completed last week and we opened it as soon as inspections allowed. This does mean it’s now open before the work on the lift is fully completed.

“Specialist lift engineers are due on site next week and, subject to their reports, the lift will open and operate in test mode for two weeks. If that goes well, the lift can officially open, making Chippenham station fully accessible.”

The new lift, which is located on the north side of the station off Union Road, will finally provide step-free access to platforms on both sides of the railway.

The staircase to the public footbridge was turned to allow the scheme to be implemented, which caused its four-month closure.

New disabled car parking spaces and more cycle parking facilities have also been installed in the north side car park over the last few months.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The new disabled parking spaces

Back in January, GWR development manager Luke Chard said the project was a key part of the company’s plans to improve the station.

He said: “This is the next stage in our planned improvements for Chippenham station. It will mean a more welcoming, safer environment and a fully accessible station.

“Turning the staircase also means we will be able to create a safer entrance and exit for anyone using the public right of way, which will no longer feed straight on to the road.”

The two current station lifts have remained open for rail users throughout the works.