J Gunn Scaffolding was proud to get the contract to help with the restoration of Stevenage Railway Station. Our job was to provide the scaffolding, a Haki staircase, and handrail systems to allow safe access.
Stevenage, the History
Stevenage’s Railway Station has an incredibly rich history. The first was built in 1850, one of dozens by Great Northern Railway. However, there have been significant developments since then. The current form dates back to 1973.
Interestingly, there was a lot of local opposition to the first railway station. There were major concerns that it would bring about a decline of coach businesses in the area. Sadly, that did prove to be true; the station became a vital transport hub, ending the stagecoach era.
Possibly the most significant era in Stevenage’s history was its designation as the first of the initial New Towns in 1946. The New Towns Act aimed to build settlements or expand existing ones to create new homes and communities. There was significant urban development at Stevenage, including a new town centre and relocating the railway station so it was more central.
The new station
As we said above, the current station is from 1973, opening on 23rd July and officially inaugurated on 26th September. Notably, it is 1.47km (73 chains in old Imperial measurement) south of the original station. It cost an impressive £620,000 to build; with inflation that would have been over £6.8m in Jan 2026!
The new Stevenage Railway Station was a huge upgrade, featuring two island platforms with four tracks, able to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. Since 1973, there have been many renovations to create modern facilities, including new passenger lifts and retail units. Significantly, in 2020 a new south-facing terminal platform opened to improve capacity and management of Hertford Loop Line services.
Restoration
The most recent work on Stevenage Railway Station was in 2025. The project was to repair the four main canopies, addressing years of corrosion and deterioration, replacing the roof to tackle leaks.
In October 2025, J Gunn Scaffolding got the call from Colt Construction Limited to explore the potential of erecting safe access and egress across the four roof canopies for Network Rail. It was a complex project, owing to the fact Stevenage Railway Station is on the main route to and from King’s Cross Station. It’s a key commuter link, serving millions of passengers annually, and has high speed trains travelling through at 125mph!
The scaffolding was designed carefully, with calculation of the loads and wind speed, accounting for the two high speed lines.
Crucially, the project had a very narrow window. Installation would only be possible during full blockades (station closures). They only happen twice a year to minimise disruption for passengers. So, everything had to be right with the scaffolding design and installation.
Working with Colt Construction Limited and RV Engineering, we came up with a plan to accomplish the project. It allows everybody to work safely to repair the canopies, removing the old roofing system and replacing it with a newer, more durable roof that will provide a longer lifespan.
We also provided scaffolding for the station’s two staircases. Its complex design considers the number of passengers that use it, ensuring they will be safe and dry while work is taking place.
Additionally, we installed a HAKI staircase at the back of the station in a Network Rail area, away from the platforms. As a result, contractors and employees have emergency access to work on the canopies without needing to access platforms 1, 2, 3 & 4.
The HAKI staircase also has a handrail system on the main roof of the station, allowing access from the canopy areas. Two access points allow movement from the roof to the staircase.
Need to arrange scaffolding, HAKI staircases or other access solutions?
The work at Stevenage Railway Station is another fantastic showcase of our skills; it shows our ability to deliver exceptional access solutions for complex projects within a narrow timeframe.
So, if you need scaffolding, HAKI staircases, or other solutions for various projects, contact us.
