Long-awaited new Telford railway station footbridge gets go-ahead says council

A new railway station footbridge has been given the go-ahead, according to a council.

The Wellington Station footbridge, which will link both platforms, is expected to open next year.

The project will also include a direct link to Wellington Bus Station, as two new lifts to help disabled passengers, people with limited mobility, families with pushchairs and those travelling with luggage.

The council said it is contributing £700,000 towards the new footbridge, which is being delivered by Network Rail.

The project is part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme, with West Midlands Railway also supporting the improvements.

In a statement the council said it has pushed for better access at the station “for a number of years”, adding that it had worked with Network Rail to secure the direct connection to Wellington Bus Station as part of the plans.

The new lifts and footbridge are expected to open in autumn 2027.

Councillor Lee Carter, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Finally, after waiting since 2018, we’re delighted these long-awaited improvements have been given the go-ahead and that work is expected to start later this year.

“The local Friends of the Station Group and Wellington Town Council who have also helped the push deserve a lot of credit too.

“Better access at Wellington Railway Station is long overdue, and whilst we welcomed the previous government’s announcement in 2018 it soon became clear that the proposal would not include a direct link to the bus station.

“I’d like to thank Councillors Angela McClements, Graham Cook, Paul Davis and Giles Luter who worked hard to secure the additional funding needed to make the direct link to the bus station part of the plans.

“These improvements will remove barriers that currently make Wellington station difficult to use for some passengers and will make it much easier to move between bus and rail.

“This has been a long time coming, and we’re pleased to be playing our part in making Wellington better connected and easier for everyone to get around.

“There is a lot of investment going into Wellington and this is another important improvement for the town. We’re looking forward to seeing the work get underway and the difference it will make for our borough.”

Adam Checkley, engineering director for Network Rail Central, said: “This is a major milestone for Wellington and confirms that we will be on site later this year to deliver the step-free station passengers and the local community have long called for.

“Two new lifts and a new footbridge will make it easier for everyone to move between the platforms. Our partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council means the bridge will also connect directly to the bus station, creating a much better and more accessible interchange between rail and local bus services.

“We will continue working closely with the council and West Midlands Railway as we prepare for construction, and we will share more information with passengers and the local community before work begins.”