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Thursday 10 Feb 2005

NETWORK RAIL AND TFL BUILD BRIDGES

Region & Route:

| Southern

A new, shiny, £500,000, modern, steel railway footbridge has been installed over the railway at Coulsdon, replacing a 1930s pre-cast concrete eyesore. Andrew Munden, Network Rail Route Director said:  “Coulsdon footbridge was reaching the end of its life expectancy and after hearing about Transport for London’s ‘Town Centre Improvement Scheme’ we decided it was the right time to invest in replacement” Keith Ollier, Transport for London’s Director of Street Management, said:  “In just three days, working over the traditionally quiet Christmas period to cause minimum disruption to rail users, we replaced the old 1930s footbridge with a new structure which is safer and more secure than its predecessor.  We are pleased to have taken the first step to providing a fully accessible route to the station.” The new bridge is a silver-grey steel arch structure caged on the sides with mesh to guard against vandalism.  The bridge has been carefully designed to still allow good views of the surrounding countryside. Built to modern safety and disability standards, the footbridge complies with disabled access standards and gives an easy, pleasant, route to Smitham station and Station Approach Road.  There are new railings and the approaches will also be improved with landscaping. Vandal resistant lighting has also been installed on the approaches and across the bridge, creating a safer and more pleasant environment for local people who use this well known footbridge. The old footbridge was demolished and the new footbridge installed between 24th and 26th December 2004.