Cox’s Walk closure

[Brian up the hill]

For those the many who use Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Woods, be aware that from today, access via Cox’s Walk will be closed from the Grove Tavern entrance. This is to allow heavy machinery to move along Cox’s Walk to the bridge which is being rebuilt. It looks from the attached map that this applies also to the Lapsewood Walk entrance, where it seems that the steps down will be closed from the seat on the corner to the kissing gate on the eastern side of the bridge. This means that entry to the Wood can be made only from Crescent Wood Road, Grange Lane and Low Cross Wood Lane. The bridge reconstruction is scheduled to be completed in March. 

Project Notification Cox's Walk Footbridge Refurbishment.pdf

[Angelina]

Thank you Brian - very helpful to know that.

[Sue]

Thanks for the information, but what a pain.

I would have thought the heavy machinery could have shared the path with walkers? 

[Brian up the hill]

It looks like the entrance to the Wood from the eastern side of Cox’s Walk/Lapsewood Walk is still open. Not sure is it will close in the future but still ok for access today.

[Rockets]

That is a shame - I suspect the machinery will probably be blocking the area in front of the gate near the bridge and it looks like they will use Cox's Walk for access and movement of materials.

[Sydney Carton]

Is it open yet?

[Brian up the hill]

The last I heard was that an artificial wood is being used for the superstructure. I believe the bridge was rebuilt sometime in the 1980s so it’s evident that natural wood does not last very long in such a damp location. This alternative material is coming from Australia and has been delayed due to the Red Sea being closed and international shipping being diverted around the Cape. 

[alice]

££££££

[Sue]

1 hour ago, Brian up the hill said:

The last I heard was that an artificial wood is being used for the superstructure. I believe the bridge was rebuilt sometime in the 1980s so it’s evident that natural wood does not last very long in such a damp location. This alternative material is coming from Australia and has been delayed due to the Red Sea being closed and international shipping being diverted around the Cape. 

I think that artificial wood is often used now for bridges  in nature reserves etc

Obviously cheaper in the long term as it won't need replacing so often, and I think less slippery, so safer.

And it looks ok.

But I might be completely wrong 😀

[alex_b]

On 02/05/2024 at 16:47, Brian up the hill said:

The last I heard was that an artificial wood is being used for the superstructure. I believe the bridge was rebuilt sometime in the 1980s so it’s evident that natural wood does not last very long in such a damp location. This alternative material is coming from Australia and has been delayed due to the Red Sea being closed and international shipping being diverted around the Cape. 

I was told the work had stopped because of the bird nesting season. 

[pebs]

I spoke to one of the workmen last week and he said a couple more months...

[DuncanW]

Genuine question - what on earth is artificial wood?

 

[Sue]

6 minutes ago, DuncanW said:

Genuine question - what on earth is artificial wood?

 

It's a man made material which looks like wood, with the grain etc, but is more suitable for using on outdoor surfaces eg because it doesn't rot.

Edited May 13 by Sue

[Katherty]

Is this still closed? Does anyone have news?

[Sue]

3 hours ago, Katherty said:

Is this still closed? Does anyone have news?

The entrance opposite the skate park was closed very recently when I passed it.

To the best of my knowledge the nesting season is over now, and I have no idea why it's all taking so long.

It's very annoying for those of us who used that entrance to go for a walk in the woods.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I've been wondering the same thing. The works seem to have taken a very long time. Found this just now on the Southwark website:

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/highways-defects-and-improvement-maintenance/bridges-subways-and-walls?chapter=3

Quote

The completion of the works is the end of October 2024

As the project seeks completion, plants and materials will be moved extensively along the footpath from Dulwich Common to the footbridge. There have been recorded incidents of ‘trespassing’ on the construction site. In terms of health and safety, it is important that pedestrians walking in Sydenham Woods follow the signposts of the diversion route away from the construction site.

This footpath will remain temporarily closed until the site is completed and demobilised in October 2024. The bridge will be re-opened in November 2024.

... so sounds like another month at least.

[SpringTime]

On 13/05/2024 at 08:38, Sue said:

It's a man made material which looks like wood, with the grain etc, but is more suitable for using on outdoor surfaces eg because it doesn't rot.

This is extremely sexist, Sue. Please. If we need it I can get real wood. It doesn't need to look like wood. And it'll be used on any outdoor surfaces as I wish. Etc. 

[Sue]

5 hours ago, SpringTime said:

This is extremely sexist, Sue. Please. If we need it I can get real wood. It doesn't need to look like wood. And it'll be used on any outdoor surfaces as I wish. Etc. 

Profuse apologies.

It was made by a human. Is that better? 😂

[SpringTime]

No chance, Sue. I'd much rather be rumbling with Jabba's wench in The Return of the Jedi. And I don't mean Princess Leia in her splendid bikini. I mean the tasty green alien lady with green tentacles coming out of her head. Yum. She can dance.

Edited September 30 by SpringTime
Everything

[Sue]

4 minutes ago, SpringTime said:

No chance, Sue. I'd much rather be rumbling with Jabba's wench in The Return of the Jedi. And I don't mean Princess Leia in her splendid bikini. I mean the tasty green alien lady with green tentacles coming out of her head. Yum. She can dance.

Are you drunk? 😀 

I like your reason for editing your post, btw. Though maybe you should have stuck to what was there before 😂

Edited September 30 by Sue

[SpringTime]

Nah, just several tonnes of horrid mental health issues. Sue, I'll probably have a drink later, and then fall asleep 😴 

[DulwichParker]

Does anyone know when this work will be finished? According to the original Project Notification it was due to be finished on 5th March, but the entrance is still blocked by a gate. Really quite annoying for those of who live in the area and access the woods via that entrance

[Brian up the hill]

The previous post (Sept 30) has a link to Southwark which says the end of October with the bridge reopening once all plant has been removed, which would be November. 

[Rockets]

Is there a way in now from that end now or do you have to go in via College Road or the Sydenham Hill entrance? We like nothing more than an autumnal/winter walk up to the Wood House but wondering now which way is best from Dulwich?

[se22]

There is another entrance off Lordship Lane. It's a bit difficult to find. Go through a housing estate by Highwood Barracks, up a steep slope and there is a kissing gate which takes you into the woods near the closed bridge.