Lancaster Station

Lancaster Railway Station is one of the principal stations on the West Coast Main Line. Originally opened in 1846 as Lancaster Castle, the station was renamed Lancaster Station in 1969 and is now a Grade II listed structure. Dart Industrial Services was commissioned by Story Contracting Ltd to undertake the repainting of the platform canopies as part of a wider £10 million station upgrade programme.

The £1 million project involved the complete repainting of the platform canopy steelwork and timber, with access provided through mobile access towers. Working within a busy operational railway station presented several challenges, including minimising disruption to approximately two million annual passengers and working alongside live railway lines. To ensure safe and efficient delivery, works were undertaken during night shifts, with trackside activities carried out under nightly and weekend Rules of the Route possessions. Winter-curing coating products were also utilised to minimise the impact of colder weather conditions.

Throughout the project, Dart Industrial Services successfully managed numerous changes to the client’s scope of works, programme and sequencing, adapting resources and maintaining close communication to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency. The works were completed in July 2025 to a high-quality standard, with no customer complaints relating to the company’s activities.

The £805,000 project involved the complete repainting of the bridge, with Dart Industrial Services acting as Principal Contractor. The scope included scaffold installation and containment, traffic and river management, bird netting and safety boat services. Working within a busy city centre presented significant logistical challenges, including restricted space for site facilities and the need to maintain river navigation. Works were carefully phased to keep one navigable span open at all times, with navigation buoys and signage installed in coordination with the Canal & River Trust.

Further challenges included maintaining access across this heavily trafficked bridge while completing painting works to the bowstring girders and parapets. Night-time road closures were implemented where necessary, while pedestrian and cyclist access was maintained wherever possible through carefully phased footway works. The project was successfully completed in October 2025, one week ahead of programme, with no accidents or incidents. Environmental impact was minimised throughout, receiving positive feedback from the Environment Agency, while the client expressed their satisfaction with the high standard of workmanship and overall project delivery.