New step-free footbridge opens in Tottenham making access to services and the Lee Valley easier: Northumberland Park footbridge

Monday 5 Nov 2018

New step-free footbridge opens in Tottenham making access to services and the Lee Valley easier

Region & Route:
Eastern: Anglia
| Eastern

As part of the £170m Lee Valley Rail Programme, Network Rail has opened a new footbridge over the West Anglia Main Line in Haringey, providing an upgraded link between the Lee Valley Park to the east and White Hart Lane and Northumberland Park to the west. Pedestrians looking to cross the railway at Northumberland Park station are now able to do so by using step-free ramps in addition to stairs improving accessibility for all. 

The footbridge will also have a lift which is expected to open in the coming months and will provide step-free access to the new island platforms. This will benefit all customers by making Northumberland Park step-free to platform for wheelchair users, buggies and people with restricted mobility.

Northumberland Park will benefit from additional services into London using the new third track running along the Lee Valley between Lea Bridge and the new Meridian Water station in Enfield. The upgrade of the station and the two additional trains per hour which will be delivered by the extra track capacity will help to unlock sites for housing and boost the local economy for the neighbouring boroughs of Haringey and Enfield.  

New video footage shows the first spans of the footbridge being installed over 21 weeks, overseen by Network Rail and principal contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick. The new footbridge provides a much safer route across the railway having closed the level crossing on Park Lane in July 2017. The closure of the level crossing and provision of the footbridge is needed to accommodate the extra trains that will run along the line.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “Replacing a level crossing with a step-free footbridge at Northumberland Park will not only allow more services to call at Northumberland Park but also provide a safer and more accessible way for people to cross the railway. We realise the importance of improving access over the railway to provide everyone with better connectivity to train services and other local amenities. These improvements will play an important role in helping to boost the local economy.”

Councillor Charles Adje, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Regeneration, said: “It is essential that positive changes like these benefit all of our residents in Haringey. This step-free bridge means more of our residents can access the station, and as a result the rest of London and beyond. This station is valuable link for Northumberland Park and this improved accessibility is good news for the area.”

John Cox, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s rail division, said: “The opening of this new footbridge marks a major milestone in the project. The team have worked tirelessly to ensure the bridge was installed safely and efficiently. I am proud of their dedication and hard work.”

Jamie Burles, managing director, Greater Anglia, said: “This project is a great example of how Network Rail and Greater Anglia are working together, transforming and modernising the railway in our region. We are replacing all of our trains with brand new trains which will start to come into service from next year.  As engineering works continue, we’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding and remind them to check before they travel.”

Representing a new model for funding, the Lee Valley Rail programme is funded by several third parties and public sector bodies, including the UK Government, the Mayor of London, the London Economic Action Partnership (now known as “LEAP”), Transport for London, and Enfield and Haringey Councils.

The funding partners and Network Rail are working together to deliver benefits in the north London corridor which will improve rail services and maximise economic growth, jobs and housing opportunities. The programme accommodates some of the proposed plans for Crossrail 2, including the active provision of a fourth platform at Meridian Water station.

 

Notes to Editors

Passengers are advised to check the Greater Anglia and National Rail websites before they travel at weekends, and allow extra time for journeys.

Key improvements:

  • Improvements at Tottenham Hale station include new platforms, lifts and a new accessible footbridge. Connections between London Underground and National Rail will also be improved.
  • Upgrade works at Northumberland Park station will include building an additional platform and new step-free footbridge.
  • Meridian Water station, funded by Enfield Borough Council and the Mayor of London, will provide passengers with a new concourse with ticketing facilities, step-free access and better connections to London.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - Katie Mack
Media relations manager (Anglia route)
0330 8577 132
Katie.Mack@networkrail.co.uk

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