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NEW FOOTBRIDGE LIFTED INTO PLACE

A spectacular operation to lower the replacement railway footbridge into position at Claygate station took place in January, using a giant crane. Work then followed in February to secure and make the bridge ready for opening.

The original bridge was closed two years ago after being found to be dangerously corroded. For a short time, villagers had to cope without a bridge before the temporary structure was put in place.

Network Rail says it took 10 weeks to build the new footbridge: “It’s lighter than the old one, as we used modern materials such as glass reinforced plastic for the treads and decking. It’s been designed to replicate the look of the original footbridge.” It weighs about 10 tonnes and because of the lifting radius required to swing the new bridge into place, engineers used a 300-tonne crane, requiring The Parade to be closed.

Further painting and lighting work is still needed to finish the footbridge even after opening, as weather hampered completion of the final touches.

STATION REACHES GRAND OLD AGE

The work on the footbridge coincided with Claygate Station reaching 140 years of age. It was built in 1885, and a goods yard—now the car park—helped Claygate bring in supplies for its farms and brickworks, and enhanced the transport of their produce.