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Monday 7 Nov 2016

Motorists advised to plan ahead as work on new Purley railway bridge gets under way

Region & Route:

| Southern

Motorists are being asked to plan ahead as work to replace a railway bridge in Purley will mean some diversions for drivers this winter.

The bridge carrying the busy Brighton Main Line over Old Lodge Lane is now too old to keep carrying trains and will be rebuilt as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, which will result in more reliable rail services for passengers.

The project will start in earnest at the end of November, with traffic diverted around Hartley Down and Old Lodge Lane from 21 November 2016, until 9 January 2017.

Network Rail’s route asset manager for the South East, Mark Huband, said: “Britain’s railways are busier than ever, with more trains on our railway, particularly on this stretch of line. As a result, we need to upgrade the bridge in Purley to keep it fit for the future and to improve the reliability of services for passengers.

“The outer tracks across Old Lodge Lane bridge sit on twin wrought iron decks, dating from 1894. We will be replacing in two major operations – one from 2-5 December, and the other over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. We realise these projects and the preparatory work mean people will have to change their driving routes for a short period of time, and we appreciate their patience.”

Pedestrian access under the bridge will be maintained throughout much of the programme. When there can be no pedestrian access – while the bridge decks are being lifted into place – a shuttle bus will carry people from one side of the bridge to the other via the road diversion.

ENDS

Notes to editor

The bridge carries four tracks of the Brighton Main Line. The two centre tracks are carried on a masonry arch, which is not being worked on. The outer tracks date from the widening of the railway in 1894 and are built of wrought iron. They will be replaced with concrete and steel spans (filler beam decking).

The bridge was set to be replaced last Christmas but bad weather meant the huge crane needed to swing in the bridge could not be operated. The new project has split the lifting into two packages which can carry on with higher wind speeds.

There will be two periods when train services through the area are disrupted as a result of the work.

These are over the weekend of 3- 4 December, and over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Passengers should check before they travel, with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries.