AVA Bridge & Lift System Successfully Installed at Stowmarket - A Landmark Step in UK Rail Accessibility
Lily Mckeown | December 4th 2025
The Installation
The installation of the pioneering AVA Bridge & Lift System at Stowmarket railway station was successfully completed over the weekend, marking a major milestone for accessible transport in the UK.
Both lifts and all main bridge components were installed within 27 hours of a 48-hour possession window, demonstrating that the main installation can take place within shorter possession periods. The new bridge and its modular lift systems represent a huge leap forward in delivering faster, more efficient and more inclusive rail infrastructure.
Designed for rapid deployment and built using a fully modular, off-site construction process, the AVA Bridge replaces Stowmarket’s outdated footbridge and introduces modern, step-free connectivity across the station. With integrated lifts. Stainless steel construction and a plug and play design, the new structure drastically reduces disruption to passengers and sets new benchmark for access for all projects across the UK.
Delivering Innovation Through Modular Design
The project which was funded under the governments Access for All Scheme, replaces the old concrete footbridge with a modern, modular structure built from stainless steel. The access for all (AfA) programme, initiated in 2006, aims to address the challenges encountered by disabled passengers and those with mobility restrictions when using railway stations in England, Scotland and Wales. Previously, the only step-free route across platforms at Stowmarket was via a level crossing, a far cry from ideal for passengers with mobility needs, prams or heavy luggage.
What sets this bridge apart is its “plug and play” design. The integrated AVA lifts delivered as complete, pre-assembled modules by KSG were transported on trailers, craned into position and bolted into place. The lifts, along with the bridge structure, were fully factory tested before arrival on site. This modular approach dramatically reduces on-site installation time compared to traditional methods, cutting disruption for passengers and minimising track possessions.
Stowmarket Installation | Images courtesy of: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ava-bridge/recent-activity/all/
A mile stone moment for the project team
“What a week! After a hectic few days at our KSG facility getting the AVA lifts prepped, we’re excited to say they were successfully installed at Stowmarket over the weekend, all within the tight 48-hour possession! It took a huge team effort (and plenty of long hours), but everyone pulled together and made it happen.
A big shoutout to the production team for pushing hard over the last few months to get the lifts ready and for the continued effort onsite to deliver a smooth install. Another thank you to our engineering colleagues for their support, and to the procurement team for keeping everything moving in the background.
And of course, a massive thanks to the project management team for driving this project from start to finish. It’s definitely been a challenging one, but all your hard work made this a success.
There’s still a bit to do before the lifts are fully up and running in the new year, but for now, everyone involved should be really proud of what we’ve achieved!”
– Matt Boden (Business Unit Director – Lifts & Access Platforms)
About AVA Bridge & Lifts
AVA Bridge & Lifts is a collaborative partnership formed by leading specialists in engineering, architecture, manufacturing and construction, united by a shared mission to transform how railway footbridges and lift systems are delivered across the UK. The AVA consortium – Network Rail, Expedition Engineering, Hawkins\Brown, McNealy Brown, Kinetic Solutions Group and Walker Construction brings together expertise from industry innovators, the AVA team combines advanced digital design, precision off-site manufacturing and sustainable materials to rethink traditional infrastructure delivery.
The company focuses on creating smarter, faster and more cost-effective ways to improve station accessibility. By applying modern manufacturing methods and a standardised design approach, AVA Bridge aims to reduce carbon impact, minimise disruption for rail users and deliver high-quality infrastructure that stands the test of time.
Driven by collaboration, innovation and a commitment to passenger experience, AVA Bridge & Lift is setting a new benchmark for the future of accessible railway infrastructure.
Installation Footage
Looking Ahead
While the bridge structure and lifts are now in place, the team will continue commissioning, testing and integration work ahead of the lifts becoming fully operational in the new year. Once completed, passengers will benefit from a modern, accessible, and future-proofed connection between platforms, a major improvement over the station’s previous arrangements.
The success at Stowmarket demonstrates what can be achieved when innovative design meets exceptional teamwork. It also sets a strong precedent for future Access for All projects across the UK rail network.