Land creep at Honor Oak Park threatens platform

10.20.37am GMT Wed 17th Mar 2010

Cllr Alex Feakes

Land creep blamed on site cleansing works at land between Camberwell New Cemetery and Honor Oak Park station has been causing damage to the up platform and the passenger shelter. The greater pressure from the earth movement is pushing the wall and railings of the shelter inwards and buckling the platform surface, putting the integrity of the shelter at risk. In addition, the steel pilings placed to retain the railway embankment are starting to lean towards the platform. Railway workers were investigating the dangerous structures this morning and installing temporary relief works ahead of a more permanent resolution of the problem.

Forest Hill councillor, Alex Feakes, commented: "like many users of Honor Oak Park station, I've been alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the platform wall in the past few weeks. I'm pleased to see that Network Rail are at least aware of the problem and are investigating, but they must move fast to make the structure safe and ensure passenger safety."

The works to the derelict site adjacent to the cemetery are intended to remove contaminated soil and other debris dumped there over the past few decades. The origin of the materials is subject to investigations involving Southwark Council, Network Rail, the Environment Agency and others.

I have contacted Network Rail for more information about repairing the structure and will pass this on to residents when it is available.