East Croydon 'new' footbridge

[hammerwood]

Not sure if anyone can answer this, but does anyone know why the newish footbridge at East Croydon has gained central handrails in the last few months.

I understand it opened in January 2013 - so were the handrails not a requirement then, but are now?

The reason for me asking is that I was involved in a nasty fall on that bridge last year. The presence of a central handrail may or may not have helped me at the time - so am just curious!

thanks!

 

[edwin_m]

The reason for me asking is that I was involved in a nasty fall on that bridge last year.

That may help to explain why the handrails have appeared...

 

[steamybrian]

I used it recently and I nearly fell over myself on the steps. In my opinion the stepping rise seems unusual short height.
Maybe it was just me..

 

[MCR247]

I used it recently and I nearly fell over myself on the steps. In my opinion the stepping rise seems unusual short height.

Maybe it was just me..

I also almost fell when I used it for my first time in August

 

[Shimbleshanks]

Not sure if anyone can answer this, but does anyone know why the newish footbridge at East Croydon has gained central handrails in the last few months.

I understand it opened in January 2013 - so were the handrails not a requirement then, but are now?

The reason for me asking is that I was involved in a nasty fall on that bridge last year. The presence of a central handrail may or may not have helped me at the time - so am just curious!

thanks!

According to what I've been told at the East Surrey Transport Committee, the footbridge was not wide enough for a central handrail to be compulsory under the design rules that govern these things. However, many people did find it difficult to negotiate and the powers that be agreed to retrofit them on the two wider staircases. (There still isn't one on the narrower of the three staircases because the rules apparently do not allow it as it would cause an obstruction.)

 

[markwo15]

Also relating to the bridge can anyone confirm why it is longer than required i.e. there seems to be space at the 'town' end for more tracks to pass underneath, is this a long term plan?

 

[swt_passenger]

Also relating to the bridge can anyone confirm why it is longer than required i.e. there seems to be space at the 'town' end for more tracks to pass underneath, is this a long term plan?

Yes it is future proofing for an additional platform. It is also designed to be split into paid and unpaid areas to allow for public access between future developments either side of the station.

 

[markwo15]

Thanks for the quick reply, nice to see the powers-that-be planning ahead for a change.

 

[steamybrian]

Also relating to the bridge can anyone confirm why it is longer than required i.e. there seems to be space at the 'town' end for more tracks to pass underneath, is this a long term plan?

There is also "space" for a staircase at the east end of footbridge to Cherry Orchard Road.

 

[tsr]

However, many people did find it difficult to negotiate and the powers that be agreed to retrofit them on the two wider staircases. (There still isn't one on the narrower of the three staircases because the rules apparently do not allow it as it would cause an obstruction.)

Central handrails are now fitted on all 3 staircases. In other news, preparation is underway for the second retail outlet to open on the bridge, following a mini WH Smith stall.

 

[edwin_m]

Central handrails are now fitted on all 3 staircases. In other news, preparation is underway for the second retail outlet to open on the bridge, following a mini WH Smith stall.

Which was closed at 1540 this afternoon.

I also noticed there is some building work going on just to the east of the bridge, which may be the other half of the development the unpaid side was meant to connect to.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

Which was closed at 1540 this afternoon.

I also noticed there is some building work going on just to the east of the bridge, which may be the other half of the development the unpaid side was meant to connect to.

Yes, they're knocking down most of the old buildings on Cherry Orchard Road, a process which has involved uprooting the cherry trees that gave the road its name. The developers have promised to plant new ones, but the locals aren't happy...

 

[tsr]

Which was closed at 1540 this afternoon.

I also noticed there is some building work going on just to the east of the bridge, which may be the other half of the development the unpaid side was meant to connect to.

Oddly enough, I was there an hour later, but didn't see that - I didn't bother to venture all that far past the ramps! Ah well.