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Notes to editors

1) The market will remain open for business throughout construction. In February 2007, the Trustees of Borough Market released a statement refuting claims that the work at Borough viaduct would threaten the existence of the market. Please see: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/index.php?module=news:72 2) The preliminary work at the beginning of 2008 includes building an acoustic barrier to protect Southwark Cathedral and building a temporary roof for the relocated section of the market. 3) The Borough Market trustees have ambitious plans for the future, such as the establishment of a new and unique food school, teaching children and adults about the benefits of eating healthily. For more details please see www.boroughmarket.org.uk/index.php?module=community:29 4) The new viaduct will help to tackle overcrowding on trains to and through London. It will remove a bottleneck that is a source of frustration for commuters, and prevents the necessary increase of train services to and through London Bridge during peak hours. 5) Completing the work at Borough Viaduct before the end of 2011 will have a number of benefits. These include, the works being completed in time for the influx of tourists during the Olympic Games, providing greater certainty regarding the future of the market, and enabling a coordinated approach with other developments in the area, such as The Shard London Bridge. 6) The Thameslink Programme has gone through two public inquiries. Planning permission and legal consents for the full scheme, including the works at Borough were granted in December 2006. It was judged that “the proposed works would have no significant effect on traffic and pedestrian flows or on the operation of the Market”, and that “the replacement building schemes would at least preserve, and in some instances enhance, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the settings of nearby listed buildings”. 7) The rest of the track works around London Bridge will take place after 2012. For more information regarding Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme please see http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=3208&NewsAreaID=17&SearchCategoryID=-1