Warminster Station, Wiltshire
Client: Great Western Railway
Project Overview
Warminster Station, Wiltshire
Service: Commercial & Retail Refurbishment
Sector: Rail
- Approved Contractor: MLG UK Ltd
- System Installed: Polydeck anti-slip GRP
- Client: Great Western Railway
- Duration: 4 weeks, worked at night
- Work Carried Out: Surface preparation, protective coatings, Polydeck GRP tread installation
Scope of Work
Refurbishment of the station footbridge at Warminster. The existing treads were removed and replaced with new anti-slip GRP, and the bridge structure was prepared and fully redecorated. All works were carried out overnight so that the station stayed open throughout.
- Removal of all existing treads and replacement with Polydeck anti-slip GRP
- Full surface preparation and cleaning of the bridge structure for coating adhesion
- Application of protective coatings to the steelwork
- Works delivered entirely on night shift under approved railway isolation procedures
Systems installed
- Treads: Polydeck GRP anti-slip system replacing the existing treads
- Decoration: Full surface preparation and repainting of the bridge structure
Challenges & Constraints
Short overnight windows
The working windows were short night shifts, so productivity had to be planned to the hour rather than to the day.
Painting depends on weather
External painting is weather-dependent, so the programme needed enough flexibility to move works around without losing booked possessions.
Station stays open
The station remained open throughout, so the footbridge had to be usable again by the morning after every shift.
Project Execution & Techniques
Night shift throughout
All works were delivered on night shift under approved railway isolation procedures, with strict rail industry safety protocols applied and every operative working to them.
Treads replaced with GRP
All existing treads were removed and replaced with new Polydeck anti-slip GRP.
Prepared then coated
The bridge structure was fully prepared and cleaned for coating adhesion before protective coatings were applied to the steelwork.
Complete sections handed back
Planning and logistics were organised so each shift finished with a complete, safe, handed-back section rather than work left part-done.
Outcome & Long-Term Benefits
Safer underfoot
The bridge went back into service with a safer walking surface, particularly in wet conditions.
Longer structural life
Preparation and repainting of the steelwork significantly extended the life of the structure.
Less upkeep
GRP needs minimal maintenance compared with traditional materials, replacing a surface that had needed regular attention.
No impact on services
Because the works ran overnight, station operations were unaffected at every stage.
Conclusion
The footbridge at Warminster Station needed a new walking surface and a full redecoration, and Great Western Railway needed the station to stay open while it happened. That put the whole job onto night shifts under approved isolation procedures, with each shift planned to hand back a complete, safe section.
MLG removed the existing treads and fitted Polydeck anti-slip GRP, then prepared, cleaned and recoated the bridge steelwork. Passengers got a surface that is safer in the wet and needs far less upkeep, GWR got a significantly extended structural life, and train services were not affected at any point.
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