Media centre

Friday 1 Nov 2013

New footbridge opened in North Sheen

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

A new footbridge which provides a safe route across the railway near North Sheen station has been opened by Zac Goldsmith MP and Richmond upon Thames council leader, Lord True.

The bridge was built by the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance after discussion and consultation with the local community. It crosses the busy route between Staines and Clapham Junction and a competition was held in the local area to help develop the bridge’s design.

Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said: “The bridge is the culmination of a very active local campaign by residents, and I’m enormously grateful that Network Rail and South West Trains have listened and acted. The look of the new bridge is based on the winning design at a well-attended and very feisty local competition, and there is no doubt it will make crossing the tracks safer and easier for a great many residents.”

Councillor Lord True, leader of Richmond Council said: “As part of our commitment to village planning and community involvement, we have supported the local community in negotiating with Network Rail and South West Trains the right bridge for the local area. Councillor Speak, the deputy mayor, has been engaged from the outset as both resident and councillor. Full credit to him and to local residents and I am pleased that pedestrians can now safely cross the railway at North Sheen at all times.”

Sam McCarthy, commercial director for the Network Rail and South West Trains Alliance, said: “Safety is always our number one priority and this bridge provides the public with a safe route to cross this busy section of railway. The alliance is committed to improving level crossing safety wherever possible across our rail network and this is the latest example of where investment is making this a reality. The bridge was designed in conjunction with the local community and is a positive addition to the North Sheen area.”

The level crossing is heavily used by both pedestrians and vehicles and the bridge will provide pedestrians with a safe route across the railway at all times of the day.