The long-planned closure of the A22 at Purley Railway bridge is at last upon us, and there's no denying that this will cause significant disruption to local traffic flows.
The works are to enable Surrey & East Surrey Water Ltd to install new water pipes under the bridge, and when this work is completed, it will greatly enhance the security of water supply in the area. Long-term residents may remember the serious flooding back in 2014 which very nearly caused the closure of the Kenley waterworks just down the road, and these works are part of the solution to reduce the risk of that happening again.
Long-distance traffic is being sign-posted to divert via the A23/M23 & A25/M25, but local traffic will obviously find its own shorter ways past the blockage.
The project is described in more detail on the SESW website here:
Public transport is also badly affected by this closure and the Riddlesdown Residents' Association has kindly published a very helpful article which is appended to this blog.
Cllr Simon Brew
