Work starts to reduce congestion at East Croydon

Artist's impressions of the proposed new footbridge at East Croydon station

The first phase of a multi-million pound upgrade to increase capacity and make it easier for passengers to move around East Croydon station will start this Christmas with the removal of the disused Royal Mail conveyor bridge which runs across the platforms.

Artist's impressions of the proposed new footbridge at East Croydon station

On Christmas day and Boxing day, a series of large mobile cranes will remove sections of the disused structure to make way for a new footbridge which will allow passengers to transfer between platforms without using the busy ramps and concourse and later provide access to and from the Ruskin Square development and Lansdowne Road. Lifts will be installed on the new footbridge to provide an alternative step-free route around the station.

Mark Ruddy, Network Rail’s route managing director for Sussex, said: “East Croydon is one of the busiest stations in the country. The new footbridge will provide more capacity, reduce congestion and make the station easier to use for everybody. The improved station will play an important role in the regeneration of East Croydon, creating better links for the community and businesses.”

“The removal of the old Royal Mail bridge marks the first major milestone in this project. The Christmas period allows us time to do this when no trains are scheduled to run, keeping disruption to a minimum for passengers. We thank people for their patience during this time.”

Southern’s East Croydon station manager, Andrew Bolton, said: “This is the beginning of a brand new chapter in East Croydon station’s history. When the new footbridge is in place, our passengers will benefit tremendously. In the meantime, while the old conveyor is removed, we will ensure that our passengers have all the information they need to get around the station.”

From the early hours of Christmas day until the early hours of Tuesday 27 December the taxi rank and drop-off point and Billinton Hill will be closed to all traffic. The station subway may also be out of use on a number of evenings (between 9pm – 5am) during December. Alternative routes will be signposted during this time.

The cycle storage facilities on Billinton Hill have been relocated to a temporary location on Cherry Orchard Road until February 2012.

The station upgrade forms part of Croydon Council’s East Croydon masterplan which includes providing a more efficient transport interchange and high-quality public realm in the town.

Councillor Jason Perry, Croydon’s cabinet member for planning, transport and sustainability, said: “Our borough is looking at its largest wave of regeneration since the 1960s.

“The work starting at East Croydon station over Christmas will be the first ripple of this major transformation, and the coming year promises to be the beginning of an exciting period of delivery that will transform the way our town looks and operates – and serve the residents of, and visitors to, Croydon well for generations to come.”