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Wednesday 24 Jan 2024

New Dalston bridge on key walking and cycling route to be lifted into place this weekend

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

A project by Network Rail to replace a 100-year-old bridge on Kingsbury Road in Dalston is reaching an important milestone this coming weekend.

Over Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January, the brand new bridge structure will be lifted into place by a crane, bringing the reopening of the route to pedestrians and cyclists one step closer.

The bridge carries Kingsbury Road over London Overground railway lines near Dalston Kingsland and Dalston Junction stations. It is on Cycleway 1, which runs from the City to north London.

Built around 1916, the old bridge was in very poor condition and had to be closed and replaced to keep everyone safe. Engineers demolished the original structure a few weeks ago, over Christmas.

Even after this weekend, there is still lots of work to do to get the bridge ready for reopening, which is expected by summer 2024. The remaining jobs for Network Rail’s contractor, J Murphy and Sons, include:

• repairing the abutments, which support the structure at either end of the bridge
• pouring, curing and waterproofing the new concrete bridge deck
• putting the road and pavement back
• reinstalling the electricity connections that run across the bridge (these are currently redirected over a temporary structure)

Trains won’t be able to run under the bridge while some of this vital work is taking place. There will be disruption to London Overground services through the area this weekend (27 and 28 January), as well as the weekends of 3/4 February and 10/11 February. Rail replacement buses will be operating. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia’s infrastructure director, said: “Kingsbury Road is on a really key route for walkers and cyclists, and it also sits over busy London Overground lines carrying thousands of passengers every day. Our replacement bridge will help keep everyone moving safely and reliably for decades to come.

“I’d like to thank all those affected by the disruption while we continue to work on the bridge – we’re grateful for your patience and support on this vital project.”

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said: “We’re determined to create a greener, healthier borough, where it’s easier for all to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, cycling, and wheeling.

“The Kingsbury Road bridge is a really important route for local people, and its replacement will mean that it can continue to support safe, convenient travel for years to come.”

Cllr Mete Coban, Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: "We are ambitious about creating a greener, safer and healthier Hackney and encouraging sustainable travel across our borough is key to achieving these goals.

"The reopening of the Kingsbury Road bridge will be highly valued by people in the local community, creating a vital route for walking and cycling and allowing people to lead healthier, safer and more active lives."