Yorkshire engineering firm behind Wimbledon roof and Spurs retractable pitch reveal latest scheme for Network Rail

A Yorkshire engineering firm which has previously worked on the Wimbledon roof and the retractable pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium are now progressing their next project – a revolutionary new rail passenger lift.
By Chris Burn
Published 27th Mar 2023, 15:53 BST

Sheffield company SCX is in the final testing stages for the AVA lift, which has been developed as part of a consortium commissioned by Network Rail to design a next-generation passenger footbridge.

The aim is to deliver on Network Rail’s ‘Access For All’ strategy to improve station accessibility across the UK.

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SCX, which specialises in engineering solutions for environments and situations that require new ideas and inventive implementation, is working with its AVA consortium partners and Network Rail to deliver a lift that provides an obstacle-free, accessible route to and between platforms for everyone, including disabled users, people with prams and pushchairs and cyclists.

The new lift has been designed by a Sheffield firm and is close to coming to market.The new lift has been designed by a Sheffield firm and is close to coming to market.
The new lift has been designed by a Sheffield firm and is close to coming to market.

Testing of the new lift is set to begin at Widmerpool station in Nottinghamshire, which is closed to train services but is used for testing infrastructure.

Matthew Harvey, Chief Growth Officer at SCX, said: “We’re really excited to be getting onto site to begin testing of the new AVA lift, particularly on the back of our recent win for manufacturing innovation at the Made in Yorkshire awards.

“The AVA lift is a first-of-a-kind outdoor rated lift system, engineered with a strong focus on delivering a safe and robust solution that is easy to both maintain and to use.

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“The number one cause of out-of-order lifts is the door system. We have extensively reimagined this element with a focus on simplicity and a reduced component count.

An impression of how the new lift will look.An impression of how the new lift will look.
An impression of how the new lift will look.

"The traditional three-door system seen on typical lifts has been reduced to one single door that slides with ease along the edge of the lift.”

Rigorous testing of the AVA lift is nearing completion at SCX’s Sheffield facilities and will be installed at Network Rail’s test station at Widmerpool in May.

Related topics:Network RailWimbledonTottenham HotspurYorkshireSheffield