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Thursday 18 Apr 2024

Vital bridge replacement means no trains on Liverpool Street – Chingford line for 16 consecutive days this summer

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Trains will not be able to run for 16 straight days while Network Rail delivers a critical stage of a bridge replacement project between Saturday 20 July and Sunday 4 August.

The 150-year-old bridge over the railway is located to the south of Hackney Downs Park and carries the junction of Downs Park Road and Bodney Road. It backs directly onto a tunnel, which emerges further down the line towards Clapton.

The bridge is monitored closely to check it is safe, but its cast iron girders are in poor condition, and they are continuing to deteriorate. A replacement structure is needed to avoid an unplanned closure and keep passengers and road users moving in future.

Over the 16 consecutive days, engineers from Network Rail’s contractor, Murphy, will demolish the old bridge and start building the new one.

Passengers are advised that between 20 July and 4 August (inclusive):

• No London Overground services will run between Hackney Downs and Chingford stations. This means there will be no rail service to or from Clapton, St James Street, Walthamstow Central, Wood Street, Highams Park and Chingford stations.
• The London Underground Victoria line from Walthamstow Central will be operating throughout this time to help people get around, including the Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Local buses will be running across the affected route.
• Passengers wanting to travel between Liverpool Street and Hackney Downs / Bethnal Green will be able to use London Overground services running to and from Enfield Town and Cheshunt.
• London Overground services to and from Enfield Town and Cheshunt may have different timetables during the 16 days, so regular passengers should check before they set off.
• Greater Anglia services that usually run between Liverpool Street and Hertford East will start and finish at Stratford instead. The usual Stratford – Meridian Water services won’t run, but other services will make additional stops at both Meridian Water and Northumberland Park. Additionally, Liverpool Street to Cambridge / Stansted Airport services will be diverted via and call at Seven Sisters instead of Tottenham Hale. Bishop’s Stortford to Stratford services will not operate, with passengers advised to use alternative services.

Train services will also be affected by preparatory and follow-up works on:

• Sunday 23 June
• Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July
• Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August
• Sunday 1 September
• Sunday 8 September

Work began on site last month, and part of Downs Park Road is already closed to vehicles. The closure will be extended to pedestrians and cyclists from July 2024.

The project is expected to be completed, and Downs Park Road fully reopened, by early 2025. The new bridge is designed to last for 120 years.

Simon Milburn, Network Rail Anglia infrastructure director, said: “Thousands of people travel under and over this bridge every day by rail and road, and our project is vital to keeping their future journeys safe and reliable. We’re sorry for the disruption this summer but we’ll be working flat out to deliver a replacement bridge that will serve the community for generations to come.”

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s General Manager for London Overground, said: “These Network Rail works are essential to ensure London Overground services can continue to operate safely and reliably for many years to come. My advice is to plan ahead, check before you travel and allow extra time to complete your journey while this work is taking place.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journeys while this work takes place.

“We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while this essential work is carried out.”