Balham rail bridge gets a refresh in time for Christmas

Last week, the council started work on improving the rail bridge across Balham High Road, after listening to local residents and businesses who said the underpass near the station was a dark and unwelcoming place to pass through.

As a result the Balham underpass is now being transformed into a brighter, lighter and safer place to be, paid for with funds the council collects and controls from property developers, at no cost to local taxpayers.

Top priority works include cleaning up the pavements and walls, and pigeon-proofing the underside of the bridge. The architectural lighting will then be improved and enhanced to make the area brighter and highlight the green tiling on the walls.

The works are taking place overnight to minimise disruption. They will take two weeks, during which time the footpath may be closed in places with the cycle lane used as a safe walkway for pedestrians.

Jenny Yates, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Balham is a busy and lively town centre - a great place to live and spend time. Residents told us they want us to spend some of our local improvements funding on changes like this that will make Balham a better place for everyone, so we’re getting on with the job.”

Other bridges getting an upgrade in this first phase of improvements include:

• Bedford Hill rail bridge foot tunnels, near the Bedford Pub
• Battersea Park Road rail bridges, near the station
• Tooting Bec Common rail bridge, at Cavendish Road
• Tooting Bec Common rail bridge, near the Tooting Triangle playground
• East Putney station rail bridges, on Upper Richmond Road
• Swandon Way rail bridge, Wandsworth Town

More information

Find out more about our bridge improvement works.

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