The bridge paves the way for transport enhancements that will benefit local people before, during and long-after the London 2012 Games.

The new bridge has been built at Angel Lane in Stratford across the railway lines going into Stratford Regional Station. It replaces the old Angel Lane bridge constructed during the Victorian era which had weight restrictions and poor sight lines for vehicles, and only one pedestrian walkway with no cycle lane.

The new bridge now opened provides improved vehicle and bus routes, new cycle lanes and two pedestrian footpaths. A new piece of public artwork has also been installed along one of the pedestrian footpaths as part of the work. The construction of the new bridge enables essential works to be carried out at Stratford Regional Station for the Games, including the extension of platform 10a to allow greater passenger capacity on trains travelling from central London.

The new Angel Lane bridge was officially opened by ODA Director of Infrastructure and Utilities Simon Wright, who was joined on a walk across the new bridge by people from the local community.

ODA Director of Infrastructure and Utilities Simon Wright said: 'The opening of the new Angel Lane bridge will deliver improved links for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists and help unlock the area for transport enhancements to benefit local people before, during and long-after the Games. The construction of the new bridge was a huge engineering challenge carried out in a constrained railway environment, so to deliver these works on time is a significant milestone.'

The new Angel Lane bridge features a new piece of public artwork following a design competition for students at London’s Royal College of Art to design a mural to be painted along one of the pedestrian footpaths. The winning design uses the parapets of the bridge to form a ‘window’ onto the horizon behind, creating an intricate mural of white clouds against a blue sky.

The construction of the new Angel Lane bridge started in September 2008 with the bridge completed on time when it opened to vehicles on 5 September, in time for the new school term when traffic in the area increases. The bridge is 42m long and 18m wide, featuring two vehicle lanes with on-street cycle lanes and pedestrian footpaths on either side.

Sustainability played an important role in the Angel Lane bridgeworks. The demolition of the old Angel Lane structure created 700 cubic metres of material, all of which has been taken to a recycle yard for reuse and recycling. A new landscaped area is also being created next to the bridge structure for local residents.

The demolition of the old Angel Lane bridge was planned to take place at the same time as existing railway engineering works during the Easter period, ensuring that separate closures of the railway were not necessary and minimising the impact on passengers. A 500-tonne crane was used to lift out the various elements of the old bridge structure.
 
Notes to editors:

• Images of the official opening of the new Angel Lane bridge and construction images can be downloaded from  http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr135174240
• The construction of the bridge was carried out by Balfour Beatty
• The cloud mural artwork was designed by RCA students Nazareno Crea and Oscar Bauer

 – Ends –
 
For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)20 3 2012 700.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog