Passengers in Sussex will soon feel the benefits of a major refurbishment of the Oxted Viaduct and a footbridge replacement in Eridge.
Oxted viaduct was built in 1881, and the bridge carries two railway lines over the A25 road and also the River Eden.
Over the next few months, engineers will be blast cleaning and repainting Oxted Viaduct as well as carrying out extensive repairs to the steelwork.
Eridge station is served by Southern trains on the Oxted line. The staircases and bridge will be replaced by a modern footbridge.
The platform canopies at Eridge station will also be refurbished to improve the overall experience for passengers commuting to London or visiting the Spa Valley Railway.
Paul Harwood, regional investment director for Network Rail, said: “The Oxted Viaduct is more than 100 years old and like any structure of that age, needs maintenance and servicing. Overhauling the viaduct is essential to ensuring we maintain a good level of service for passengers who use this route while the new improved footbridge in Eridge will serve the local community for many years to come.”
Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, said: “On behalf of our customers, we welcome this major investment to maintain safe travel and a local landmark long into the future. While we are currently asking people to consider whether they really need to use the train, we thank those who do have to travel for their patience during this vital work.”
To ensure the safe running of the line at Oxted Viaduct, the railway will need to be closed on:
- Saturday 4th July and Sunday 5th July 2020
- Sunday 12th July 2020
The work at Eridge station will take place from now until the end of September while work at Oxted Viaduct is likely to run until February 2021.
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An interesting feature of Eridge station is the old mail bag slide adjacent to the present Southern platform steps. Assume this will go as part of the new installation. Hoping to see the Spa Valley running again, too.