Urgent safety measures must be taken

15.5.01

Second iron pin found underneath Surbiton Railway Bridge

Local Lib Dem candidate, Edward Davey, is pressing Railtrack to take proper safety measures at the Brighton Road bridge after another two pound iron pin was found on the pavement below.

Edward Davey reported an incident at the bridge earlier this month when a passing resident was narrowly missed by a failing iron pin. Railtrack confirmed they had undertaken a visual safety inspection. They also confirmed that they would bring their six year detailed examination forward to be done in the next couple of weeks. However, since receiving this response, a resident has found another two pound iron pin on the pavement under the bridge and brought it to Edward Davey's office.

Commenting on this latest incident, Edward Davey said,

"Clearly Railtrack's recent safety checks have missed the cause of this problem. They followed up my initial concerns and thought the bridge was safe.

"The discovery of a two pound pin on the pavement under the bridge brings their findings into question and I have made Railtrack Directors aware of my ongoing concerns."

"No-one seems to know how this pin got there - whether it fell or some other explanation. Yet surely its better to be safe than sorry."

"Every effort must now be taken to ensure that pedestrians and motorists are safe. This might mean safety scaffolding or some other solution, but urgent safety measures must be taken."