Network Rail have unveiled an artist’s impression detailing how Alfreton station’s new ‘step-free’ bridge will look.

The existing bridge will be refurbished and two lifts will be installed, allowing passengers to access both platforms.

At present, there is only step-free access to the ticket office and the northbound platform.

Platform 2 – for services travelling south – can only be accessed by the existing footbridge which has stairs.

Plans for the new structure have been developed as part of Access for All, a government-funded scheme launched in 2006 to improve accessibility at stations.

At Alfreton station, platform and lighting improvements are also set to be carried out as part of the project.

In addition to releasing the image, Network Rail has confirmed that construction is due to start in the autumn of this year and that the project is due to be completed in the first half of 2024.

Work completed so far includes a coal mining report and bridge inspection.

The artist’s impression was first unveiled to Alfreton Town Council at its full council meeting on Tuesday (March 22).

After the meeting, Councillor Scott Walker said: “We are grateful to Network Rail for sharing this exciting news with us first, and we really hope that this is the promise that finally delivers after the town council campaign that has been ongoing for so long.”

Gavin Crook, principal programme sponsor at Network Rail, said: “We’re moving forward with this project and are encouraged by the bridge inspection and assessment report which shows that the existing bridge can be used as proposed.

“Contractors have been engaged to develop final design and the option chosen will deliver value for money and a short construction time.”

Plans to improve access to Alfreton train station were first announced by the Department for Transport in 2014.

At the time, it was said that the work would be completed in 2019.