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Monday 15 Apr 2013

Bridge near Streatham Common station to reopen two months early

Region & Route:

| Southern

A bridge near Streatham Common station which has been closed since November 2012 is to reopen more than two months early.

The bridge on Greyhound Lane has been closed to vehicles while Network Rail extends platforms at the station underneath. Sections of the bridge had to be removed and replaced to accommodate the longer platforms below.

Rebuilding the bridge has been completed ahead of schedule and work to replace utilities running across the bridge has been quicker to complete than expected.

As a result, Network Rail has been in discussion with Lambeth Council and the local business association and agreed the bridge will reopen to traffic on Tuesday 7 May.

Simon Chapman, Network Rail’s route enhancement manager for the Sussex route, said: “While the bridge closure was essential to allow for platform lengthening at the station, we are fully aware of the impact it has had in the local area. Again, I would like to apologise to businesses and residents for the disruption caused.

“When carrying out a project of this size, we have to plan for the worst case scenario. We have done all we can to progress the work as quickly as possible and, by working closely with the utility companies, are able to reopen the bridge more than two months early.”

The bridge was originally due to reopen to one way traffic from the end of April with a full reopening at the end of July.

A public meeting organised by Lambeth Council and Network Rail is due to take place at Granton Primary School at 7pm on 16^th April 2013.