Kingston: Urgent work is needed on Kingston's bridges to stop vehicles plummeting onto railway lines below, a safety audit has shown.

In light of the Selby rail disaster earlier this year, which left at least 10 people dead and 70 injured, all the bridges in the borough which cross railway tracks were checked in a bid to prevent a replay of the tragedy.

Now the council is desperately trying to raise cash for extra safety measures on six bridges, to prevent vehicles ending up on the rail tracks in the event of a crash.

The work needed includes the installation of a chevron warning sign and further fencing at King Charles Road railway bridge, where a car crashed through barriers last year and was only stopped from falling on the track by a tree.

Graffiti needs to be removed on railway signals at Dickerage Lane railway bridge, which also has substandard alignments making it possible for cars to fall from the road. Gloucester Road railway bridge needs replacement parts. Railings could be used at the Ewell Road railway bridge, although it was declared a generally low risk site.

Garrison Lane bridge was also considered relatively safe because of traffic calming measures and the amount of trees and foliage, which would block falling cars. Knollmead bridge was considered relatively safe.

Kingston Council has submitted a bid to the London Bridges Organisation to gain funding for the repairs. Failing this, councillors Kevin Davis and Leslie Dale have asked the council to lobby Railtrack for the cash.

Councillor Steve Mama advocated using council cash to fund the repairs instantly. He said: "The council is responsible for the health and safety of its residents and I will press to have these repairs made as soon as possible.

"We can't wait for answers when we have evidence work needs doing as soon as possible."

A Conservative spokesman said if money was not forthcoming from London Bridges or Railtrack then the council would have to fund the repairs.

November 20, 2001 10:00