Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Transport for London engineers have confirmed the 60-year-old Croydon Flyover requires urgent refurbishment following detailed safety inspections.
This week, a portion of the Wandle Road surface parking lot beneath the Flyover has been blocked while surveying is being done.
It was initially anticipated that the town center parking lot would be partially closed for two days. Ultimately, the closures persisted for the entire week. TfL anticipates finishing its inquiry today.
Three years have passed since TfL declared that the Croydon Flyover, which was constructed between 1965 and 1969, demanded conservation and repairs due to its rusting sword and deteriorating concrete.
In 2013, the Hammersmith Flyover was closed for a two- time, £100 million refurbishment.
TfL lacks inadequate finances for capital systems and keep of its main roads and structure as a result of the COVID epidemic and the millions wasted by London Mayor Boris Johnson.
The A40 Westway in west London and the Croydon Flyover are two of the key roadways in the capital that are in danger of “imminent closure” because of their declining state, according to a 2022 TfL assessment.
TfL has calculated that in order to keep important road bridges and tunnels from closing, it must invest £2 billion in the whole road network.
From Fisher’s Folly and the Croydon Underpass in central Croydon, the six-lane Croydon Flyover transports the east-west A232 over Roman Way to Duppas Hill Road. Every day, 40,000 cars use this reinforced concrete structure.
Earlier this year, TfL stated that it intended to begin Croydon Flyover maintenance in 2026.
According to a report in New Civil Engineer,
“The deteriorating condition of TfL’s road structures has been a long time coming.
Last year [2021], TfL meeting agenda papers revealed that the cost of patching up London’s surface transport assets has increased by 762% during the last five years. This includes all bridges and tunnels in the capital as well as River Thames crossings.
TfL attributes this increase to delays and budget cuts to its surface transport assets renewal programme, which includes major repair work to at risk structures including the Rotherhithe Tunnel, A40 Westway, Vauxhall Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge.”
The most recent plans that TfL released for the Croydon Flyover were for waterproofing, removing expansion joints, installing new lighting, and fixing concrete. Due to the deterioration of its lighting system, the route is frequently left dark for drivers at night.
TfL is now awaiting financing after finishing the design work for the repairs.
Carl Eddleston, TfL’s director of streets and network operations, told Inside Croydon:
“Safety is our top priority, and we regularly inspect and maintain TfL’s road network to ensure it is safe for people to use.
We have implemented closures to Wandle Surface Car Park as part of our investigations to assess the condition of Croydon Flyover, which is in need of refurbishment.
The final phase of the car park closure will be completed by November 7.”
Are there safety restrictions or closures announced for nearby car parks?
There have been no formal public adverts regarding specific safety restrictions or closures for near auto premises in the Croydon area related to the flyover refurbishment. corridors of the Wandle Road face surface car park beneath the Croydon Flyover have been temporarily closed to grease engineering work and examinations.
Business operation measures, including temporary signage and conceivably speed restrictions, could be in place to ensure safety during the refurbishment process. Authorities are likely covering the structural integrity of the girding structure, which could lead to fresh safety measures or restrictions in near areas if necessary.
It’s judicious for motorists and callers to stay streamlined through sanctioned Transport for London (TfL) announcements or original council advice for any specific restrictions formerly negotiating work is more advanced or listed for completion.
