In 2004 Stannah Lift Services were awarded a new 10 year contract by Network Rail to maintain and service all station lifts across the UK rail network.

In addition to this maintenance contract Stannah are invited to tender for major station lift refurbishment work. Network Rail has an on-going programme of station improvements and the Bristol Branch of Stannah Lift Services won the contract to upgrade the lifts at Bristol Temple Meads station.

Network Rail is responsible for all the track in the UK and also many stations in London and major cities throughout Great Britain.

The total refurbishment of three existing station lifts was implemented in three stages so that only one lift was out of action at any one time. This was essential to ensure minimum disruption to passengers and staff during the project. The three new traction drive 21 person/1600kg lifts serve platforms 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12.

The modernisation programme, to Network Rail specifications, was to improve the lift performance and meet the requirements of the Lifts Directive (95/16/EC) 1995, BS5655, EN81-80 and the Disability Discrimination Act.(DDA).

All Stannah engineers are fully trained to maintain lifts of any type from any manufacturer.

There are 212 Stannah engineers working out of eleven local branches through the UK. Stannah¹s Bristol Branch provides repair, maintenance, service and refurbishment of lifts for clients across the South West and Wales.

Each of the lifts at Temple Meads Station is a traction drive 21 person 1600 kg with a contract speed of 0.75 metres per second. The internal car dimensions are 1755mm deep, 1950mm wide and 2300mm high. There is one entrance with clear access of 1100mm x 2100mm to easily accommodate all users (including those using wheelchairs) and some movement of goods. The lifts serve the upper (platform) level and lower subway level, travel is 3400mm.
Lift Well width: 2610mm
Lift Well depth: 2630mm
Headroom: 3940mm Pit
Depth: 900mm

Project Manager, Harvey Liddington, of Stannah comments;"We were delighted to complete this project for Network Rail. In addition to the lifts, we refurbished the corresponding motor rooms. Each part of the project was carried out within the most stringent health and safety rules, to guarantee the safety of Network Rail¹s customers and employees and our own staff."

Safety First
The lift car is attached to a set of multiple steel wire suspension ropes, which are led directly over a drive sheave and then terminated to the car and counterweight. A safety gear is provided on the car. In the event of the car over-speeding in either upward or downward direction, the safety gear will be engaged and will stop the car by clamping the guides. The shaft is protected by doors, which correspond and line up with the car door.

The electrical control panel for the lift is located in the motor room. It is connected to safety interlocks and control limit switches in the lift well and on the lift car. It is also connected to push button stations and indicators at the landing entrances and in the lift car, to enable passengers to operate the lift.

Audible indication of the operation of the lift is given via a voice synthesiser to advise floor designation, direction of travel, emergency instructions to trapped passengers, via speakers on each landing and within the car.

The materials used in the refurbishment of the lift are not known to be, or suspected to be, hazardous to health. Not withstanding the above, gearbox oil should be controlled and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer¹s recommendations.