Network Rail has announced the beginning of demolition work at a site for the £6.5 billion Thameslink Programme.

The Bermondsey Dive Under is being developed to separate flows of trains approaching London Bridge from South East London, Croydon and Kent.

In order to create the dive under, two Victorian viaducts will be partially demolished and rebuilt to allow Charing Cross trains to travel along a new route.


Armac is the specialist demolition sub-contractor.

The Network Rail and Skanska team are strengthening 20 bridges between New Cross and Waterloo East to carry the proposed Thameslink track alignments.

The Government sponsored programme is rebuilding much of the railway from New Cross Gate through London Bridge and on to Blackfriars and St Pancras.

Project Manager Greg Thornett said: "Our contractors are removing the steel bridges first before using a mixture of techniques to deconstruct the brick viaducts."

"Although the old viaducts will be replaced by modern structures, they are designed to remain in keeping with the older architecture."

(LM)