Network Rail has announced the timings for its works at the Borough Viaduct; a key part of the newly funded £3.55bn Thameslink Programme – a scheme that will tackle overcrowding and support economic growth in London and the South East by increasing rail capacity.

Preliminary works will start at Borough Viaduct during 2008, with the main works taking place between January 2009 and October 2011.

Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme Director, Andrew Mitchell commented: “Network Rail wants to make sure that everyone is fully aware of the right timings of its works at Borough Viaduct. “The Department for Transport has requested that Network Rail completes its job at Borough viaduct by the end of 2011. We are planning to start preliminary work during early 2008 with the main works starting in January 2009. “Our plans will strike the right balance – enabling our works to proceed whilst allowing the market and its traders to continue to flourish. As a part of this, we will keep on holding regular surgeries and meetings with local people.”

Notes on the project
* The market will remain open for business throughout construction. In February 2007, the Trustees of Borough Market released a statement refuting claims that the work at Borough viaduct would threaten the existence of the market.

* The preliminary work at the beginning of 2008 includes building an acoustic barrier to protect Southwark Cathedral and building a temporary roof for the relocated section of the market.

* The Borough Market trustees have ambitious plans for the future, such as the establishment of a new and unique food school, teaching children and adults about the benefits of eating healthily.

* The new viaduct will help to tackle overcrowding on trains to and through London. It will remove a bottleneck that is a source of frustration for commuters, and prevents the necessary increase of train services to and through London Bridge during peak hours.

* Completing the work at Borough Viaduct before the end of 2011 will have a number of benefits. These include, the works being completed in time for the influx of tourists during the Olympic Games, providing greater certainty regarding the future of the market, and enabling a coordinated approach with other developments in the area, such as The Shard London Bridge.

* The Thameslink Programme has gone through two public inquiries. Planning permission and legal consents for the full scheme, including the works at Borough were granted in December 2006. It was judged that “the proposed works would have no significant effect on traffic and pedestrian flows or on the operation of the Market”, and that “the replacement building schemes would at least preserve, and in some instances enhance, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the settings of nearby listed buildings”.

* The rest of the track works around London Bridge will take place after 2012.