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Monday 1 Jul 2013

Two south London road bridges to be improved

Region & Route:

| Southern

Work is to take place on two south London bridges which will extend their working life and reduce the need for future maintenance.

Network Rail will strengthen one and replace the other over the next two years as both bridges approach the end of their life expectancy.

Penge Road bridge, near Norwood Junction station, dates back to the early 1850s and needs to be strengthened to meet modern weight limits for buses and heavy vehicles.

Tennison Road bridge, which dates back to the 1920s, will be replaced with a new structure which is expected to last at least 120 years.

Both improvements will reduce the amount of maintenance required in the future, meaning less disruption for passengers and local residents.

Network Rail is working closely with the London Borough of Croydon to accommodate both bridge works and to carefully plan the shortest possible diversions to minimise disruption in the surrounding area.

Tim Robinson, Network Rail’s route managing director for the Sussex route, said: “Modern bridges have to be stronger and more resilient than ever and these improvement works will strengthen one bridge and replace another, greatly reducing the need for further maintenance work.

“Work of this nature is always difficult to carry out without causing some disruption but in busy residential areas it is even more of a challenge. Residents and businesses can be assured we are working closely with the local authority and TfL to minimise this as much as possible.”

Councillor Jason Perry, cabinet member for planning, regeneration and transport, said: “This is a significant investment in Croydon’s transport network and will provide long-term benefits to drivers and local residents. We’ll be working closely with TfL throughout these projects to keep them on time so as to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience. While we appreciate this may cause disruption, these works will reduce the amount of maintenance required in the future.”

The Penge Road bridge strengthening is being funded by the London Borough of Croydon and Network Rail.

Transport for London (TfL) is providing funding for the new Tennison Road bridge to make wider than the current structure. This will make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians with a wider carriageway and wider footpaths. The current three tonne weight restriction will be lifted which could improve local transport links as buses will be able to use the bridge.

Preliminary work at Penge Road is due to start in August 2013, with the main project getting underway in November, to be completed in February 2014.

Preliminary work at Tennison Road will start from January 2014, with the main work starting in September 2014, finishing in spring 2015. The bridge carries a number of utilities across the railway and utility companies will be carrying out investigations in advance of the work so they can be safely rerouted.

Pedestrian access over the railway will be maintained at Tennison Road at all times and for the majority of the time at Penge Road - however there may be occasions when a temporary complete, short-term closure is required to carry out certain work.

Anyone wanting further information about the work can contact Network Rail on 08457 114141.