Northwich Station repair work to begin after 2021 roof collapse

On May 18, 2021, a wall and part of the station roof fell onto the platform and the track. Thankfully, no-one was injured in the incident.

An investigation into the cause of the structural failure is still ongoing, but Network Rail, which is leading the rebuild, confirmed construction will 'get underway early to mid-February'.

But despite this positive news, campaigners including Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury and town councillors remain disappointed the station won't be made fully accessible.

The accessibility of the station has long been an issue, however because the footbridge was not impacted by the collapse, it does not fall within the scope of the rebuild project.

Mr Amesbury, who was informed of the rebuild schedule by email, said: "It’s good news the rebuild is finally happening.

"However, the bad news is this represents a missed opportunity.

"I, and others, have been campaigning for years to ensure the station is fully accessible given the Chester-bound platform is out of reach for people with disabilities, the infirm and parents with children in buggies.

Mike Amesbury at Northwich Station (Image: Mike Amesbury)

"It would have been sensible to make the station accessible at the same time that workers and heavy equipment were on site - securing best value for taxpayers by achieving those cost savings."

Mr Amesbury added: “An Access for All bid has been submitted to fund improvements but there's no guarantee of success and no money available until 2024 at the earliest, even if it gets the green light.

"It’s not acceptable people with disabilities and mobility issues are effectively barred from using public transport."

Network Rail was granted planning permission to rebuild the station last November.

The publicly-owned infrastructure company wants to re-construct the south western end of the station building, including the ticket office. 

It said the proposed reconstruction will be of a ‘similar design’ to the original.

Some, including Northwich Leftwich councillor Andrew Cooper, have raised concerns the reconstruction won’t include the restoration of the section of Victorian station canopy destroyed in the collapse. Cllr Cooper is, however, pleased the station is getting rebuilt.