SOUTHWARK PARK STATION REMAINS UNCOVERED
Published at 11:33 on Wednesday 22nd April 2015
Tags: Network Rail, Thameslink Programme, Dive-Under, Bermondsey, Southwark Park
The old platform footings uncovered from the long-lost Southwark Park station. Network Rail
The somewhat ghostly remains of the ticket hall and platforms of a South London railway station that closed 100 years ago in 1915 have been uncovered by engineers constructing the Bermondsey Dive Under, which is part of the Thameslink Programme.
Southwark Park station sits on a viaduct above Rotherhithe New Road, and was principally closed due to competition from trams and buses.
The footings for the former platforms were discovered while preparation for the top of the viaduct was taking place for the new track to be laid, and work on the roof space of the former ticket hall to fill in the old sky lights is underway ready to carry the final track alignment.
Much of the existing stretch of viaduct will be replaced by the ramps into and out of the new dive under. Project Manager Greg Thornett said: “We uncovered the footings for the former platforms while we were preparing the top of the viaduct for new track and we are now working up in the roof space of the former ticket hall to fill in the old sky lights, ready to carry the final track alignment. Much of the existing stretch of viaduct will be replaced by the ramps into and out of the new dive under, but the arch that used to house the old booking hall will remain.”
The £6.5 billion Thameslink Programme is rebuilding much of the railway from New Cross Gate through London Bridge and on to Blackfriars and St Pancras. The Bermondsey Dive Under will result in two Victorian viaducts being partially-demolished and rebuilt to allow Charing Cross trains from South East London and Kent to dive down to almost street level, under a new route carrying Thameslink services from Croydon, and back up again.
The Dive Under itself, is situated where the former Bricklayers Arms branch left the main line and a new access road follows the former trackbed under the remaining viaducts. The site offices sit on the stub end of the trackbed leading towards the former locomotive shed.
