Work on track to replace historic Albrighton railway bridge

The Grade II listed bridge, located at Albrighton Station, was originally built around 1880.

Now it is being replaced as part of work by Network Rail to make it safe.

The bridge first had structural repairs carried out around 80 years ago.

As part of the most recent works, which began on March 20 with the closure of Station Road, the cast iron parapets are being retained and refurbished.

The aim of the works is to ensure that the bridge lasts a further 120 years.

Dozens of workers were on site on Bank Holiday Monday carrying out the replacement.

The works have so far seen Albrighton Station closed from April 8 to 23, no trains running between April 15 and 17 and Station Road closed until April 29.

A full, signed diversionary route and a rail replacement service is in operation for the duration of the works.

A statement on the works, released by Network Rail said: "Most of the bridge is approaching the end of its useful and safe life and will have to be renewed."

Dominic Mottram from Network Rail said: "This work is the final piece of the jigsaw at Albrighton Station.

"We recognise installing this new bridge will cause some disruption and would like to thank local residents for their continued patience."

London Midland's head of regional services, Steve Fisher, said: "During the work we won't be able to stop trains at Albrighton. Buses will run from outside the station to and from Cosford to connect with train services. There is also a free car park for passengers at Cosford during the works."

Albrighton has recently been one of four stations in Shropshire which has had new self-service ticket machines.

The news follows an announcement in January that disused railway stations in Willenhall and Darlaston could be given a new lease of life as part of a major revamp of the train network in the Black Country.

The plans to reopen Portobello station in Willenhall and the station in Darlaston were discussed at a meeting of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

Funding for the project, which is part of a wider plan to rejuvenate transport across the region, still needs to be secured with the plans very much in the early stages.

Previous proposals outlining plans to reopen Willenhall and Aldridge stations are also still in the pipeline.