Media centre

Tuesday 23 May 2006

BANK HOLIDAY BRIDGE REBUILD FOR KILBURN HIGH ROAD

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

| Southern

The demolition and reconstruction of Kilburn High Road bridge will take place over the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend, marking the key stage in a £7.3 million project by Network Rail and Camden Council. From Friday night until Tuesday morning (26 – 30 May) three cranes and more than 100 engineers will be on-site to demolish the existing bridge, removing some 2,000 tonnes of material. The 54 sections that make up the new bridge structure will then be carefully lifted into place piece-by-piece. The reconstruction work is essential to strengthen the bridge and prevent future weight restrictions that could stop buses and other large vehicles from using the route. Network Rail’s Route Director Peter Strachan said: “We are working closely with Camden Council to complete this work which is essential to secure the future of transport services through Kilburn. This weekend is a crucial stage in the project but every effort is being made to carry out the work as quickly as possible and to minimise noise and disruption for local people.” Richard Pearson, Head of Camden Consultancy, said: “We appreciate that this work will have an effect on local traders and residents.  However, we are running on schedule, to a programme that enables us to finish the project as quickly as possible and minimise disruption to everyone in the area.  All diversionary routes have been carefully planned and widely communicated, for example via regular community newsletters.” To prepare the site for the bridge reconstruction over the bank holiday weekend, it will be necessary to close Coventry Close from Tuesday 23 May to Wednesday 31 May. Access for local businesses and pedestrians will be via Alpha Place and Cathedral Walk. Kilburn High Road Station will also be closed across the bank holiday weekend. Passengers between Queens Park Station and London Euston should use local bus services or London Underground services on the Bakerloo line. Pedestrian access on Kilburn High Road will be maintained but at times access to footways may be supervised for public safety. The following traffic management measures will also be in place across the Bank Holiday Weekend: ·         Cambridge Avenue will be closed – motorists should follow signed diversion routes along Kilburn Park Road ·         Cambridge Avenue bus routes 31, 316 and 328 will be diverted via Kilburn Park Road, Carlton Hill and Abbey Road ·          A shuttle service will be in operation across the weekend to carry pedestrians from Kilburn Park tube station to diverted bus routes on Oxford Road All diversionary routes have been carefully planned to minimise disruption to road users and pedestrians. More details are available at www.camden.gov.uk/kilburnbridge. Members of the public with questions about the proposed work can contact the Network Rail helpline on 08457 11 41 41 or Camden Council’s Structures and Bridges team on 020 7974 8717.