Seven Sisters Bridge gets new lease of life after £1.4M facelift
A run-down railway bridge in Seven Sisters has been given a new lease of life following the completion of a £1.4m restoration project by Network Rail.
For many years the dilapidated bridge, which crosses the junction of Seven Sisters Road and St Ann’s Road, was symbolic of the general decline of the surrounding area. Thanks to the £1.4m restoration and refurbishment the bridge is now a symbol of the investment and renaissance that has taken place recently in Seven Sisters.
That renaissance is the result of a ten-year, £50m government regeneration programme – the Bridge New Deal for Communities (NDC) – which was named after the railway bridge in recognition of its place as a local landmark.
The NDC was central to the refurbishment project, contributing £100,000 towards the cost and working closely in partnership with Network Rail, Transport for London (TfL), Haringey Council, the London Developments Agency’s Design for London, British Transport Police and the local community.
All households within the NDC area were given a consultation pack with details of eleven possible colour schemes for the bridge and a voting card to choose their favourite. Hundreds of residents responded and the colour scheme with the most votes, Classic Green, was chosen.
The refurbishment took place between January and April and included:
- Pressure washing of the entire structure, including the brickwork and piers
- Repointing and repairs to the brickwork
- 3000 square meters of painting
- 500 square meters of brickwork repairs including anti-graffiti coating
- Full pigeon-proofing
- Relocation of lighting columns to the bridge walls (funded by TfL)
- Clearing of overgrown vegetation
Patrick Hallgate, Route Director, Network Rail, said: “This bridge is an important local landmark and now, thanks to the restoration and refurbishment, it is one that the community can be proud of. Network Rail is glad that local people had the chance to have their say and choose the colour they wanted for their bridge. We’re very happy with the choice they made.”
Lorne Horsford, Chair of the Bridge New Deal for Communities, said: “ As a local resident and chair of the Bridge NDC, I am delighted to see this important landmark which acts as a gateway in the area restored. The NDC was named after this bridge, the local community was consulted on the colour scheme and I am very happy to see their choice of colour on the bridge. It is a great achievement for the area and is a great example of partnership working between the NDC, Network Rail, Transport for London, Design for London, Haringey Council and the local community.”
Joanne McCartney, Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, Greater London Authority, said: “ Having been involved in arranging a site visit to the bridge with local residents some time ago we managed to get the bridge pigeon proofed which made a big difference to the hygiene and cleanliness of the area. This was the final stage and I am delighted that the project has now been completed. It makes a huge difference to the look and feel of the area."
Cllr Claire Kober, Leader of Haringey Council, said: “This is a great example of the council working together with Network Rail and the NDC to transform a local eyesore into a landmark example of local regeneration, improving the area for residents, traders and visitors.”
Dana Skelley, Director of Road Network Management, Transport for London, said: ‘’We are really pleased to have been involved in this joint scheme which has seen the rail bridge returned to its status as an attractive local landmark. The relocation of the lamp posts will provide more space on the footways to help pedestrians enjoy this refurbished area to the full.’’
Rt Hon David Lammy, MP for Tottenham & Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property said ‘’From the inception of the Bridge NDC, renovating this bridge has been a top priority for local residents and the project has always had my strong support. To see that struggle come to an end, and the bridge renewed, is a proud moment for all of us who have been involved.”
