From 7 August to 6 October Network Rail will be demolishing and re-building the Boswell Footbridge next to Stafford Road Open Space in Caterham. The work will be carried out by contractors Dyer and Butler, which have applied to Surrey County Council to carry out the works while the ground is dry enough to enable a large crane on the site to lift the concrete footbridge.

The only available access for the works site is from Stafford Road Open Space. There is a statutory requirement for the Council to grant access to allow these essential works to be done. Unfortunately, to create sufficient space for the equipment, the existing children’s play area will be partly removed and will not be available throughout the works.

All the equipment will be replaced once the works are completed and the cost of this will be covered by the contractors. The gym equipment in the park will not be removed. The installation of the new £35,000 play area will also be rescheduled to start once the building works are complete.

The Council is acutely aware these works take place over the summer, during a time when the park is well used and has tried to persuade Network Rail to reschedule the works to a time outside the school holidays. Network Rail has said this is the only time the works can take place because of the need for ideal ground conditions. The Council is working with Network Rail and Surrey County Council to lessen the impact of this project as much as possible.

Dyer and Butler has written to residents about the works and has recently held a drop in session. For further information please visit www.networkrail.co.uk or call 03457 11 41 41 (24-hour helpline). 

Councillor Nick Childs, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: “We apologise for the inconvenience residents will experience as a result of the works by Network Rail. We are working hard to make sure the needs of our residents are taken into consideration and will be closely monitoring the project. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any concerns and we look forward to confirming a new date for the reinstatement of the play area and the installation of the new additional play equipment in the park shortly.”