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Wednesday 26 Jun 2024

THREE DAYS TO GO: Eight-day closure of Kingsferry Bridge begins this Friday evening

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

People travelling to and from the Isle of Sheppey are asked to plan ahead from Friday (28 June) when the first eight-day closure of Kingsferry Bridge, linking Sheppey to the mainland, takes place.

The work means that the 1960-built bridge will be closed so that engineers can continue to replace the 40 steel ropes that lift the bridge when it opens for maritime traffic.

During a weekend closure earlier this month, Network Rail’s engineers completed the replacement of the counterweight ropes on the Sheppey side of the bridge - the ropes that stabilise the bridge deck when it lifts for shipping.

The lifting ropes on the Sheppey side of the crossing will be replaced during the upcoming closure beginning on Friday. The counterweight and lifting ropes on the mainland side of the bridge will be replaced during the remaining closures.

When work is taking place, the bridge will be closed to motorists, rail passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and all maritime traffic, including jet skis and other leisure craft.

The closures take place between:

• 22:00 on Friday 28 June to 05:00 Sunday 7 July
• 22:00 on Friday 12 July to 05:00 on Monday 15 July
• 22:00 on Friday 19 July to 05:00 on Sunday 28 July

Last trains will depart the island around midnight on Fridays when the bridge closes, while the first trains will run from approximately 05:43 on the days when the bridge reopens.

David Davidson, Network Rail’s Kent route director, said: “While the first weekend closure went very smoothly with traffic on local roads being very light, we’re expecting the roads to be much busier and more congested over weekdays with school and commuter traffic.

“We’re grateful to people of Sheppey and the surrounding area for their patience as we complete these urgent repairs and our people who use the bridge is to please continue to plan ahead and leave more time to complete your journeys.

“This next phase of work involves the replacement of the ropes on the Swale side of the bridge, which means that there will be 10 more days of closures after this, one weekend and another 8-day closure.

“We want to remind jet ski and speed boat users that for the safety of everyone, including those working on the bridge, they can’t pass under the bridge when work is taking place – it’s too dangerous. We hope people will understand why this is the case, and we thank them for their patience.”

Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s Operations and Safety Director, said: “We support these bridge repairs, but we appreciate it does make journeys more difficult for our customers.

“There remains a regular replacement bus service and there is ample cycle space at Sheerness and Sittingbourne stations, including an overnight facility at Sheerness if needed. We can also provide taxis for any customers that have accessibility needs.

“Please check before you travel and thanks for bearing with us while this essential work is carried out.”

Information on the project, closures and associated travel advice is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/KingsferryBridge.

Travel advice

Motorists

In addition to the full closures, from 09:30, Monday 24 June through to 15:00, Friday 2 August, traffic management will be in place on the Kingsferry Bridge to allow construction materials, plant and staff welfare facilities to be delivered.  A single lane of the bridge will be open and controlled by traffic lights during this time.

During the full closures, motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and maritime traffic will be unable to use the bridge.

When the Kingsferry Bridge is closed, motorists are advised to use the Sheppey Crossing but to leave more time to travel as journeys may take longer.

In addition to the full closures, from Monday 24 June through to Friday 2 August traffic management will be in place on the Kingsferry Bridge.

People are reminded that motorcycles/mopeds under 50cc, and horses/animals are not allowed to use the Sheppey Crossing.

A shuttle bus with trailer will be available to transport motorcycles/mopeds under 50cc, but capacity will be limited and there may be queues at busy times. People are advised to travel another way if possible.

Pick-up and drop-off points will be on Sheppey Way off the Queenborough Road/Cowstead Corner roundabout (on the Sheppey side), and alternatively on Sheppey Way by the Old Ferry Road roundabout (on the Swale side). The trailer will run approximately once an hour, on the hour, however, congestion on the wider network may affect departure times and overall journey times. 

Local and school bus services

People who use local or school buses are advised to check with their bus operator as there may be changes to bus routes and times.  there will be changes to bus routes and times

Rail customers

Trains can’t run between Sittingbourne and Sheerness when the repair work is being carried out. During the closures, a regular replacement bus service will run between Sheerness, Queenborough, Kemsley and Sittingbourne stations. 

People using replacement buses or the local buses are being advised to leave more time to travel as journeys will take longer.

Swale station will not be served when Kingsferry Bridge is closed. This is because of the low customer numbers that use the station and the lengthy diversionary route that buses would need to take, which would extend journey times for most customers. Any customers planning to travel to/from Swale station are advised to contact our customer relations or social media teams for assistance.

Southeastern is providing a cycle storage facility at Sheerness for passengers to leave their bikes, including overnight. There are also a number of cycle racks at Sheerness on Sea and Sittingbourne stations if needed.

Taxis can be provided for any customers that have accessibility needs but there may be a wait depending on road traffic.

For more information on the bus replacement service check the travel advice on the Southeastern website.

Cyclists and pedestrians 

When the Kingsferry Bridge is closed a 24/7 shuttle bus will be in place to transport pedestrians and cyclists across the Sheppey Crossing. 

Pick-up and drop-off points will be on Sheppey Way off the Queenborough Road/ Cowstead Corner roundabout (Sheppey side), and alternatively on Sheppey Way by the Old Ferry Road roundabout (mainland side). The shuttle bus will run approximately once an hour, on the hour, however congestion on the wider network may affect departure times and overall journey times. 

Leisure cyclists are politely asked to avoid using the shuttle service to leave space for people commuting to work via bicycle.