St Erth Station Platform Extension

The project comprised the design and construction of platform widening works at St Erth Station, Cornwall on behalf of GWR to provide increased platform capacity for the St Ives branch line to increase passenger circulation space following changes to the railway timetable improved services on the branch line.

St. Erth is a Grade II Listed station, and therefore heritage was a key consideration throughout the design and construction phases, with key items such as stone sourced locally, and undertaken sympathetically in line with English Heritage requirements.

Working over 10,000 man hours within a pre-planned 25-day blockade, our site team widened the platform over a length of 110m to help manage the station’s anticipated rise in passengers, following the completion of a new park and ride facility nearby.

Our programme of works included the installation of new drainage to both the platform and track and construction of a new Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant ramp to aid better access between platforms two and three. In addition, two existing sets of access steps were re-constructed to create better access between the platforms.

The station’s existing signalling was also upgraded to align with the new track and siding layout. Lighting was also upgraded throughout the platform and a new driver’s walkway was constructed.

Great Western Railway director of operations Rob Mullen said: “We are grateful to passengers for their patience as we have continued to modernise the railway in the South West. With this platform work, and wider works in the area being completed, the new park and ride has been opened, providing greater opportunity for road users to switch to more sustainable transport with better integrated rail and bus facilities.”

Dyer & Butler senior contracts manager Matthew Kirk added: “The team completed the works within a very short space of time and with a great deal of man hours involved so my thanks go to the team for all their hard work. These works will ensure improvements to rail, bus, walking and cycling aimed at residents, visitors and commuters and will also help with congestion.”

Since 2017, work has been taking place at St Erth to transform the station into a Park & Ride hub for St Ives. The St Erth hub provides additional car parking and improvements to the highway infrastructure at St Erth Railway Station. The station is served by both mainline (Penzance to Paddington) and branch line (St Erth to St Ives) train services and the hub provides an opportunity for car users to switch to a more sustainable transport solution for travel within west Cornwall and beyond.