Works to install lifts at Warwick Station appear to be back on track after prior approval was given for new designs.

The 'Access for All' scheme all but came to a halt last year after the discovery of Victorian building remains where the new shafts were to be built.

Construction only resumed a matter of weeks ago and now prior approval has been given for the updated plans.

Designs submitted to Warwick District Council show part of the station building will need to be demolished and rebuilt, with a new shop also installed.

Plans for platform two will not change but a "significant redesign" was needed for the other platform, due to the discovery of the former station building foundations.

The concrete lift shaft on platform one will now have to be outside the building, with a lift motor room still planned for inside.

The unexpected foundations found after demolition of concrete subway steps at Warwick station (image via Network Rail)

Stairs inside the station building to the subway will be filled in, with a new set of stairs built in the car park.

The remainder of the station building to the east of the existing stair area will form a new retail shop. 

"To facilitate construction, the west end of the existing station building up to the existing steps into the subway, will be demolished," the application explained.

"The existing ticket office will be retained as it is. 

"The partly demolished station building will be re-built as per the existing building after construction of the subway, except that the chimney will not be provided. 

"The lift motor room will be located in the rear of the current shop area. 

"All existing windows to be reinstated with uPVC frame double glazed windows with lockable inwards openings, except the windows to the new lift motor room on the front elevation of the station building will be infilled with brickwork matching the existing red bricks."

Works underway at Warwick Station (Image by Geoff Ousbey)

The new staircase and cycle shelter relocation will mean three spaces are lost.

Work on site has already seen excavation completed, part of the roof removed, ticket machine and bike shelter moved, windows infilled and new services installed.

Last August workers found foundations believed to be from the first railway station built on the site in 1852 - which lasted just 42 years before being destroyed by fire in 1894.

Network Rail said the foundations were not recorded in the plans of what was then rebuilt 129 years ago.

The near 200-year-old walls lie right where the platform one lift was due to go, and the substructure cannot be disturbed as it is "integral to the existing building and platform".

See the full plans here.