A new footbridge, linking Chiswick Business Park with Chiswick Park railway station, has been green lit.
After years of waiting, people living and working in Chiswick will soon benefit from the pedestrian bridge, which aims to alleviate overcrowding at Gunnersbury railway station.
Construction is set to begin in the summer, likely in August, with the project targeted for completion and open by December 2018.
An agreement has been signed between Chiswick Park, the London Borough of Hounslow , the London Borough of Ealing, Network Rail and Transport for London to start the development.
At 135m in length, footbridge will be constructed over the railway line, extending from the northern end of the business park and providing employees with direct access to Chiswick Park railway station.
Among the benefits, a new bridge will improve access to the surrounding areas for the community and give office workers direct access to shops on Chiswick High Road.
The first phase of construction involves preparing the site for construction. Following this, three connecting spans of bridge, built off-site, will be transported to the site and lifted into place.
Then fitting of decking, lighting and infill panels and landscaping works will be undertaken on either side of the bridge to complete the footbridge.
Graham White, chief executive of Chiswick Park, said: “Our business community at Chiswick Park is very well served by public transport.
"The new bridge will provide direct access from the northern end of the site, with five minute walk from the offices to Chiswick Park station.
“We’re pleased to have reached this agreement with the neighbouring councils, Transport for London and Network Rail.
"I’m sure the bridge will be welcomed by our guest companies on the park, and the wider community, by taking the pressure off the growing number of commuters using Gunnersbury station during busy periods.
"[It will also] significantly increasing the proximity of the shops, cafes and restaurants on the High Road to our guests on the Park.”
Chiswick Park is home to 45 well known brands such as Discovery, PepsiCo and Starbucks and over 8,000 employees.
Located on Chiswick High Road, the business community is well served by local bus routes and is less than half a mile from Chiswick roundabout with access to the M4, A4 and the North/South circulars.
And as part of the Crossrail program , neighbouring Acton and Ealing stations are set to be redeveloped, enhancing the business district's connectivity.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment, transport and leisure at Ealing Council , added: "We welcome the construction of this new pedestrian bridge.
"[It] will provide an easier and much shorter journey for people travelling to and from Chiswick Park Campus to Chiswick Park Station, as well as a direct link between the Colonial Drive development and Chiswick Park Campus."
Chiswick Park has been in the Great Places to Work Top 50 workplace listing for six years in a row.
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