Work will begin this weekend to provide passengers with better platforms and a new footbridge at Hartford station.

Network Rail will be removing the existing footbridge at the station on Saturday night (12 July) using a 1,000 tonne crane which will lift the structure over the platforms into the station car park where it will be dismantled and removed.

The size of the bridge and the equipment needed to remove it means the station’s car park and the A559 Chester Road will be closed between 0730 on Saturday 12 July and 2359 on Sunday 13 July. The railway will remain open during the work and there will be no impact on services.

The new footbridge will be installed and all improvements at the station – including resurfaced platforms and a new roof on the station building – will be completed for use by the autumn. Access to all platforms will be maintained while the footbridge is being replaced.

Ian Joslin, area director for Network Rail, said: “The new footbridge and improved platforms will provide passengers with a better experience and environment at Hartford station. As passenger numbers continue to rise, it is essential that we invest in the network to meet the increased demand being placed on it.

“We have carefully planned the work to cause the minimum amount of disruption and train services will continue to run as normal throughout.”

David Whitley, London Midland’s head of regional services, said: “This is excellent news for passengers and I’m really pleased, given the scale of the work involved, that this is being carried out without any disruption to rail services.

“We have been working hard to communicate the message that the car park will close and I apologise to passengers for the temporary disruption this may cause.”