The sign I saw the other day implied that it was due to accessibility
issues. I did wonder why the footbridge was built with only steps in this
day and age.

I finally wasn't in a hurry and got some time to read the poster - it
says that it will be closed until early 2009 (!) because of works to
build a new staircase for Stratford station. Not sure what that means,
but I'm sure that closing the footbridge just 1.6 months after opening
is a major **** up.

My prediction - they will destroy the new footbridge and build a new
one, which will span all platforms.