Restoration begins of 161-year-old Thames crossing

Hungerford railway bridge dates back to the 19th Century

The refurbishment of a 161-year old central London bridge is under way.

Hungerford railway bridge, which takes trains over the River Thames between the South Bank and London Charing Cross station, is being restored by Network Rail to "protect it for the future".

It is a steel truss railway bridge, with two, more recent, pedestrian bridges alongside it. Network Rail said all of the original metalwork will be retained.

Work is due to be completed by the end of winter 2028.

The refurbishment work will be carried out in two phases, until winter 2028

The current bridge has spans - the horizontal space between two supports - made from wrought iron lattice girders - or beams - dating from 1864.

The refurbishment work will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase on the Southbank and the south side of the river from January 2025 to January 2026.

The second phase will take place from January 2026 to winter 2028.

David Davidson, Network Rail's Kent route director said they would not be closing the bridge to trains during the first phase of works.

He added: "Many of the bridges on Britain's railway are from the Victorian era and being responsible for this national heritage is both a privilege and a challenge.

"Some of the structures are very old, so are vulnerable to corrosion and damage from weather.

Mr Davidson said barges would be used to deliver and remove waste materials to Surrey Pier for the period of the works, to avoid creating extra traffic and the resulting pollution.