Poynton Rail Station, Cheshire, UK

Project Overview

As part of Network Rail’s £8.5 million programme of improvements to the West Coast Main Line, essential renewal works were delivered across Cheshire during an intensive 21-day line closure in August 2025. The wide-ranging package included bridge, track, and point renewals — and the full reconstruction of life-expired platform extensions at Poynton Station.

Delivered by AmcoGiffen on behalf of Network Rail North West & Central, the Poynton works formed part of the “mega month of delivery” — a coordinated programme designed to future-proof infrastructure reliability, minimise disruption, and improve long-term passenger experience across the region.

Poynton Station, a heritage station originally opened in 1887, serves the Stoke-to-Manchester line and provides vital commuter connections for Cheshire residents. The existing platform extensions had reached the end of their service life, prompting a need for a sustainable and durable replacement that would reinstate correct stepping distances between train and platform while reducing maintenance requirements for decades to come.

A Proven, Sustainable Platform Solution

To meet these objectives, AmcoGiffen selected d² Dura Platform 40, Dura Composites’ Network Rail-compliant Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) platform system. Offering a clear span of up to 1.5m, weight of just 35.55 kg/m², and a 5 kN/m² load performance at L/300 deflection, Dura Platform 40 delivers the strength and durability of traditional materials with a fraction of the embodied carbon.

The modular design allowed the new platform extensions to be installed rapidly and safely without the need for heavy lifting equipment, reducing both site risk and possession time. The Tri-Tone Grit surface, tested to BS 7976-2:2002 + A1:2013, retained over 97% of its slip resistance after 1.1 million footfalls, ensuring long-term safety and performance for passengers in all weather conditions.

The GRP system also supports Network Rail’s sustainability and circular economy goals, with a 60-year design life and a full end-of-life repurposing programme through Dura Composites’ mechanical recycling process.

Safe, Durable Access with d² Dura Profile

Complementing the new platform system, End of Platform steps and landings were fabricated using d² Dura Profile, Dura Composites’ market-leading structural section range engineered for superior strength, durability, and low maintenance.

The lightweight yet high-stiffness GRP profiles provided a corrosion-resistant alternative to steel, perfectly suited to the exposed rail environment. Pre-engineered components enabled rapid assembly and precise fit-up on site, while the anti-slip finish ensured long-term safety for operational staff and passengers alike.

Together, d² Dura Platform 40 and d² Dura Profile delivered a complete, integrated access and platform solution — reducing whole-life cost, improving sustainability, and extending the operational lifespan of the station infrastructure.

Carbon and Environmental Impact

Replacing conventional concrete and steel with the d² GRP systems significantly reduced the embodied carbon footprint of the scheme. Based on comparative data across concrete platform installations, the solution delivered up to 597 tonnes of CO₂e savings, equivalent to removing 53 HGVs from the road or offsetting the annual carbon sequestration of over 27,000 trees.

These outcomes demonstrate the tangible benefits of early collaboration between Network Rail, AmcoGiffen, and Dura Composites, engaging the supply chain to achieve measurable Scope 3 carbon reductions in line with PAS 2080 principles.

View the carbon saving certificate

Results and Impact

• Replacement of life-expired platform extensions with a long-life, low-carbon modular system
• Integration of GRP End of Platform steps and landings for safe, durable access
• Improved stepping distances and passenger safety
• Rapid, efficient installation during a restricted possession period
• 60-year design life and full recyclability through Dura’s repurposing programme
• 597 tonnes CO₂e embodied carbon savings versus pre-cast concrete
• Future-ready infrastructure supporting Network Rail’s decarbonisation targets

The Poynton Station renewal perfectly illustrates how collaboration across the supply chain can deliver faster, safer, and greener outcomes. By combining our d² Dura Platform 40 system with d² Dura Profile access structures, AmcoGiffen and Network Rail achieved a robust, long-life solution with measurable carbon savings and zero compromise on performance. It’s a great example of engineering smarter, not heavier — helping Britain’s railway meet its net-zero commitments while enhancing passenger safety and experience.

Richard Palmer

Rail Sales Manager at Dura Composites

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