East Croydon footbridge to open in 2027 after 14-year delay
Croydon Council secures £6m funding deal with Network Rail and developer Menta Regeneration to complete the public route
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Residents and commuters in East Croydon will gain a new pedestrian route across the station in 2027, ending a 14-year wait. The footbridge, which has remained closed to the public since its construction in 2012, will finally open after Croydon Council reached a funding agreement with Network Rail and developer Menta Regeneration.
The footbridge was designed to provide two parallel routes: one for ticketed passengers and another for public use. While the passenger side opened in 2013, the public side has remained fenced off due to planning oversights and safety concerns. Croydon Council contributed £6 million toward its construction, as reported by ianVisits.
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Why the footbridge stayed closed
The delay stemmed from a planning omission for The Blossoms housing development, completed by Menta Regeneration. The approval did not require the developer to open the eastern entrance immediately. As a result, the staircase and lift on that side have remained unused for years.
Safety standards also played a role. The original glass barrier, compliant with 2011 regulations, no longer meets modern requirements. Network Rail will replace it with a perforated steel barrier before the footbridge opens. Work is scheduled to begin this summer, as confirmed by Croydon Council.
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What happens next
Network Rail’s contractor will start work on the footbridge this summer. The project involves replacing the glass barrier and completing the eastern entrance, which connects to a public square at The Blossoms development. The footbridge is expected to open in 2027.
Croydon Council, Network Rail, and Menta Regeneration have agreed on long-term maintenance arrangements. The council did not disclose the total cost of the remaining work or the share each party will contribute.
Questions this report answers
+Why has the East Croydon footbridge been closed for so long?
The footbridge’s public side remained closed due to a planning omission for The Blossoms housing development, which did not require the eastern entrance to open immediately. Safety concerns over the glass barrier also delayed its use. Croydon Council, Network Rail, and Menta Regeneration have now agreed funding to complete the work.
+When will the East Croydon footbridge open?
The footbridge is expected to open in 2027. Work to replace the glass barrier with a perforated steel barrier will begin this summer, as confirmed by Croydon Council. The eastern entrance, linked to The Blossoms development, will also be completed.
+How much did Croydon Council contribute to the footbridge?
Croydon Council contributed £6 million toward the footbridge’s construction. The council has now finalised a funding agreement with Network Rail and developer Menta Regeneration to complete the project and ensure its long-term maintenance.
+What work is needed before the footbridge can open?
The glass barrier on the footbridge must be replaced with a perforated steel barrier to meet modern safety standards. Network Rail’s contractor will begin this work this summer. The eastern entrance, connecting to The Blossoms housing development, will also be completed.
WE FILE
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