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Wednesday 29 Oct 2025

Complex Mitre Bridge level crossing upgrade completed

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Passengers and freight customers in West London are benefitting from a safer and more reliable railway following the successful completion of essential upgrade work at Mitre Bridge level crossing.

During the October half-term, when typically fewer passengers travel, rail engineers have worked tirelessly to renew rail, sleepers, drainage systems and signalling equipment at this key crossing between Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction.

Following a four-day closure, Network Rail reopened the railway this morning (Wednesday 29 October), removing a speed restriction, which will allow trains to run more smoothly and efficiently.

The work was carried out in a highly constrained environment, with the site located on a short stretch of railway sandwiched between multiple sets of switches and crossings – the intricate pieces of track that allow trains to move from one track to another.

The crossing had reached the end of its design life, and the improvements will ensure continued access for heavy goods vehicles to the busy industrial estate at Willesden, while supporting the safe operation of both passenger and freight services.

Neil O’Toole, senior programme manager at Network Rail, said: “I’d like to thank passengers, freight customers, local businesses and local residents for their patience while we carried out this important work to keep Mitre Bridge level crossing safe and reliable for rail and road users.

“This upgrade not only improves safety but also helps us deliver better journeys by removing a speed restriction and future-proofing this vital piece of railway.”

A spokesperson for Southern, said: "These engineering works are vital to the safe and reliable running of our services between Watford Junction and East Croydon.

"We recognise there is no good time for the railway to close, and we'd like to thank passengers for their patience while these works were carried out by our colleagues at Network Rail." 

Other work that took place in this rare four-day closure included the renewal of 2,000 metres of high-voltage power cables between Clapham Junction and West Brompton, essential for communication and signalling systems. Track maintenance engineers also completed the upgrade of a set of track switches and crossings which enable trains to move from one track to another at Kensington Olympia.

Passengers are reminded to continue checking their journeys at www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.