London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, Thomas Turrell, has challenged Network Rail on the continued delays to authorising Bromley Council to install lighting on the footbridge over the railway.
The footbridge which is located on Mays Hill Road and provides a shortcut to Queens Mead Recreation Ground currently has lighting on it leaving many to have safety concerns using the bridge after dark. Bromley Council has agreed to fund the lights to address these concerns but has been waiting on Network Rails permission for over two years. Network Rail owns the bridge and therefore needs to authorise the work before the Council can undertake them.
The Council and former MP for Beckenham, Bob Stewart, have repeatedly chased Network Rail on this. The Councillors for Shortlands and Park Langley Ward, who secured the commitment from Bromley to fund the lights, have also had regular meetings with Network Rail to express frustration at the continued delays.
London Assembly Member, Thomas Turrell, most recently chased Network Rail on this at Bromley’s Public Transport Liaison Forum asking the organisation to get a grip on the case and provide the authorisation. Councillor Nicholas Bennett, Bromley Council’s Executive Member for Transport, Highways and Road Safety, also expressed his frustration at the delays at the meeting.
Thomas said: “What is most frustrating about this is what we are waiting on is a simple OK to start the work. I am happy to support our hard-working Councillors in chasing Network Rail to get this agreed so that the Council can finally begin the work. It is unacceptable that Network Rail have dragged their feet on this when we are talking about improving safety on the bridge.”
Councillor Felicity Bainbridge, who represents Shortlands and Park Langley, added: “This should not be taking so long. People often tell us they do not feel safe using the bridge when it is dark and Network Rail are dragging their feet and delaying this. We got Bromley to agree to fund the lighting, yet this just is not progressing. Like residents, we are incredible frustrated with the endless delays from Network Rail. We are continuing to work with the officer team at the Council to get this delivered and will keep residents updated.”
