A 102-year-old railway footbridge is being given a £500,000 facelift to extend its life.

Network Rail contractors began work on the bridge at Bicester North Station last month, after a temporary footbridge was installed across the tracks at the south end of the station.

The modernisation of the footbridge, built in 1910 when the station opened as part of the Great Western Railway’s Bicester cut-off line, is due to be complete by April. The structure is being grit-blasted back to bare metal, so that repairs and strengthening work can be carried out before it is repainted.

In addition, the wooden bridge deck and steps and the link spans between the bridge and the adjacent lift shafts will be replaced with new anti-slip surfaces, while the timber parapets will be renewed and new handrails and lights fitted.

Due to the closure of the bridge and lifts during the project, disabled passengers and those with mobility problems will not be able to reach platform two, used by trains travelling towards London.

Anyone travelling to or from Bicester North who may be unable to use the steps on the temporary footbridge should contact station staff or call Chiltern Railways’ customer service line on 08456 005165 to make alternative arrangements.