Loudoun Road bridge strengthening - work starts mid August

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As part of a national bridge inspection programme, Network Rail has assessed Loudoun Road Bridge to evaluate its compliance with current bridge standards. This assessment revealed that while the section of bridge carrying the carriageway complies with current standards, the footway and parapet does not. There is therefore a risk that the footway and parapet may not withstand the weight or impact of a vehicle should it mount the footway.
The Council will need to strengthen the bridge in the long term, in the short-term however it is planning a range of provisional measures to protect the bridge from vehicles including installation of high kerbs and pedestrian parapets. Nearby residents have been written to on this.
Works are due to commence on 15 August 2011 for ten weeks. In order to carry out these works, parking bays on both sides of the road will need to be suspended. The disabled parking bays to the northeast of the bridge will be relocated to the northwest side of the bridge whilst works are in progress on the east side of the bridge. The bays will then be reinstated on the east side once the work is complete. Due to the importance of protecting the footway, the “Pay and Display” parking to the west of the bridge will remain closed until the bridge is strengthened.
Although a date is yet to be established, Camden is actively working with Network Rail to agree a programme for the strengthening of the bridge. The loss of pay and display bays for a period is unwelcome, as are the parapets etc, but given the safety issues there doesn’t seem much choice in this.