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Friday 28 Jun 2024

ONE MONTH TO GO: Critical repairs to Barnes Bridge will see changes to South Western Railway services

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

Vital work to Barnes Bridge in Richmond on Thames will mean that the line between Kew Bridge and Barnes will be closed with buses replacing trains from Sunday 28 July to Friday 2 August.

During this time, Network Rail’s engineers will be replacing all 48 wooden wheel timbers, which are the long blocks that support the tracks across the bridge with Fibre-reinforced Foamed Urethane (FFU) alternatives. These new wheel timbers have an extended lifespan of 50 years, are more durable and require less maintenance.

Engineers will also be strengthening the spans of the bridge, working underneath on scaffold platforms. In accordance with ancient tradition and the Port of London Thames Byelaws, a bale of hay will be hung from Barnes Bridge to notify maritime traffic of the reduced height of the bridge, as well as a white light at night.

New baseplates, which connect the tracks to the sleepers, will also be installed, and the alignment of the tracks approaching and leaving the bridge will be improved. During this period, 1.4km of conductor rail will also be renewed between Chiswick and Kew Junction.

On Sunday 28 July only, train services will not run between Feltham and Barnes, via Hounslow with a replacement bus service in operation while key maintenance to the track and conductor rail work between Isleworth and Hounslow is completed.

A rail replacement bus service will be in operation between Kew Bridge and Barnes over the course of the week and passengers travelling in the area are advised to check before they travel. The pedestrian walkway over the River Thames will remain open so residents can continue to cross the river.

Changes to train services

• Sunday 28 July only - no trains between Feltham and Barnes via Hounslow
• Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August - no trains between Kew Bridge and Barnes 

Mark Smith, Network Rail project manager, said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience this line closure will cause and thank passengers for their patience during this period.

“This work is critical for the continued safe and reliable running of the railway over Barnes Bridge. During this time, the railway between Kew Bridge and Barnes will be closed to allow our engineers to safely complete their work and a rail replacement service will be in operation to ensure passengers can continue their journeys.”

Peter Williams, South Western Railway's Customer and Commercial Director said: “We are sorry that trains will not run between Kew Bridge and Barnes stations for these six days, or between Feltham and Barnes via Hounslow on the Sunday only, but these critical repairs to Barnes Bridge will extend its lifespan for decades to come.

“Rail replacement bus services will be operating, though journeys may take longer than usual, so we recommend checking before travelling and we thank customers for their understanding.”