Network Rail has held an event to mark the official opening of Harlington station’s new footbridge.

It said the modern structure – designed to last 120 years – provided an upgraded, more durable connection, improving the station experience for visitors while also making future maintenance more cost-effective and efficient.

Network Rail installed the new bridge at the Thameslink station in December 2025, when a 300-tonne crane with 40-metre boom lifted into place new components weighing up to 9.1 tonnes.

The previous, ageing bridge was removed over the weekend of 18-19 April, when engineers also completed improvements to the overhead line equipment at the station.

The project has also included the renewal of platform surfaces, tactile paving and yellow lines, along with installing new CCTV, lighting and fencing – further improving accessibility, passenger safety and security.

An event was held at the station on Monday 27 April to mark the official opening of the footbridge.

Shak Munshi, project manager for Network Rail, said: “This new footbridge is a major investment in Harlington station and a clear example of how rail improvements can deliver lasting benefits for communities. It’s great to see passengers now able to use a safer, more reliable structure that’s been built to serve the area for decades.”

Harsitt Chandak, station manager at Thameslink, said: “I’d like to thank all our passengers for their patience during the work. It’s good news for everyone that we have a new footbridge and we look forward to the return of the full car park – currently a worksite – once resurfacing is completed on platforms 1 and 4.”

Blake Stephenson, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said: “I was delighted to meet the team behind the project to replace the footbridge at Harlington station, and to reiterate the importance of delivering step-free access for communities across Mid Bedfordshire.

“Investment in Harlington station will always be welcome, especially as the old footbridge had become old and was no longer fit for purpose.

“I welcomed the opportunity to discuss this important issue with Network Rail, and the desire for accessibility improvements in the future, as well as hear more about their recent work that also included improvements made to the platform surfaces, paving and the painting of yellow lines.”